Cytotoxic activity of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from a cohort of Mexican children with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease in which thick, sticky mucus is produced in the lungs (and other organs) that impairs ciliary clearance, leading to respiratory problems, increased chronic bacterial infections, and decreased lung function. Staphylococcus aureus is one of the primary bacterial pathogens colonizing the lungs of CF patients. This study aimed to characterize the genetic relatedness of S. aureus, its presence in children with CF, and its cytotoxic activity in THP1 cell-derived macrophages (THP1m). METHODS: Genetic relatedness of S. aureus isolates from a cohort of 50 children with CF was determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The VITEK 2 automated system was used to determine antimicrobial susceptibility, and methicillin-resistance S. aureus (MRSA) was determined by diffusion testing using cefoxitin disk. The presence of mecA and lukPV genes was determined by the polymerase chain reaction and cytotoxic activity of S.aureus on THP1m by CytoTox 96® assay. RESULTS: From 51 S. aureus isolates from 50 children with CF, we identified 34pulsotypes by PFGE. Of the 50 children, 12 (24%) were colonized by more than one pulsotype, and 5/34 identified pulsotypes(14.7%) were shared between unrelated children. In addition, 3/34 pulsotypes (8.8%) were multidrug-resistant (MDR), and2/34 (5.9%) were MRSA. Notably, 30/34 pulsotypes (88.2%) exhibited cytotoxicity on THP1m cells and 14/34 (41.2%) alteredTHP1m monolayers. No isolate carried the lukPV gene. CONCLUSIONS: Although a low frequency of MRSA and MDR wasfound among clinical isolates, most of the S. aureus pulsotypes identified were cytotoxic on THP1m.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La fibrosis quística (FQ) es una enfermedad genética en la que se produce moco espeso y pegajoso en los pulmones (y otros órganos), lo que conduce a problemas respiratorios, incremento de las infecciones bacterianas crónicas y disminución de la función pulmonar. Staphylococcus aureus es uno de los principales patógenos que colonizan los pul-mones de los pacientes con FQ. El objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizar la relación genética de S. aureus, su presencia en niños con FQ y su actividad citotóxica en macrófagos derivados de células THP1 (THP1m). MÉTODOS: La relación gené-tica de los aislados de S. aureus provenientes de una cohorte de 50 pacientes con FQ fue determinada por electroforesis en gel de campo pulsado (PFGE). La sensibilidad a los antimicrobianos se determinó mediante el sistema automatizado VITEK 2, y la resistencia a la meticilina (SARM) mediante la prueba de difusión utilizando discos de cefoxitina. La presen-cia de los genes mecA y lukPV se determinó mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa, y la actividad citotóxica de S. aureus sobre células THP1m mediante el ensayo CytoTox96®. RESULTADOS: A partir de 51 aislados de S. aureus provenientes de 50 niños con FQ se identificaron 34 pulsotipos por PFGE. De los 50 niños, 12 (24%) estaban colonizados por más de un pulsotipo y 5 de los 34 pulsotipos (14.7%) los compartían niños que no estaban relacionados. De los 34 pulsotipos, 3 (8.8%) presentaron multirresistencia (MDR) y 2 (5.9%) fueron SARM. Además, 30 pulsotipos (88.2%) fueron citotóxicos sobre células THP1m y 14 (41.2%) alteraron su monocapa. Ninguno de los pulsotipos presentó el gen lukPV. CONCLUSIONES: Aunque se encontró una baja frecuencia de SARM y MDR en los aislados, la mayoría de los pulsotipos de S. aureus identificados fueron citotóxicos para células THP1m.

Multidisciplinary study to monitor consequences of pollution on intertidal benthic ecosystems (Hauts de France, English Channel, France): Comparison with natural areas.

The intertidal areas of the Hauts-de-France (English Channel - France) stand out for the occurrence of fragile ecosystems that are exposed to natural and human-induced stress. Over the last two centuries, the northern part of this region has experienced a strong human pressure, with the settlement of numerous activities (i.e., metallurgic factories, harbors, embankments). On the contrary, the southern part includes mostly natural areas. The whole region is influenced by a macrotidal regime. A multidisciplinary approach based on sedimentological (grain-size), geochemical (trace metals, biomarkers) and biological (foraminifera) proxies was used to unravel the contrasting environmental conditions in the Hauts-de-France. Three foraminiferal-types communities, which reflect different ecological characteristics at regional scale, were identified: 1) estuarine macrotidal assemblages (Haynesina germanica associated to Elphidiidae) in low impacted estuaries; 2) industrial-perturbed assemblages (H. germanica and Cribroelphidium excavatum) in harbor areas; and 3) infaunal-dominant assemblages (Bolivina variabilis and B. pseudoplicata) in embankment areas. The outcomes of this study show that a multiproxy procedure needs to be adopted for properly characterizing intertidal ecosystems, where human impacts and natural stresses overlap and are hard to disentangle.

Citicolina, ¿deberíamos seguir indicándola en ECV isquémica? / Citicolina, devemos continuar a indicá-lo nA DCbV isquemica? / Citicoline, should we continue to indicate it in ischemic CVD?

Resumen: La enfermedad cerebrovascular (ECV) isquémica es una condición médica que implica, según su grado, discapacidad importante para el paciente, además de altos costos para su tratamiento agudo y crónico, así como en el manejo de la discapacidad con alta incidencia y prevalencia a nivel mundial. Desde el punto de vista fisiopatológico, representa una catástrofe en el funcionamiento cerebral que involucra daño estructural y funcional. Se han desarrollado múltiples estrategias para el manejo de esta patología; actualmente, el estándar de oro para su manejo es el rt-PA; sin embargo, por sus características, pocos pacientes tienen acceso al mismo. Razón por la que se han desarrollado estrategias farmacológicas diversas para su manejo: la citicolina se ha usado durante años, no obstante, genera controversias dado que su utilidad, demostrada en estudios experimentales, no se ha reproducido en la práctica clínica; más aún, algunos estudios sugieren que podría empeorar el pronóstico del paciente, lo que justificaría el abandono de su uso en el tratamiento de ECV isquémica (ictus). Por tal motivo ofrecemos esta revisión del tema con el fin de brindar herramientas que permitan aclarar dicha controversia.

Abstract: Ischemic cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is a medical condition that, according to its extension, implies significant disability for the patient, as well as high costs for its acute and chronic treatment, as well in the management of disability, with high incidence and worldwide prevalence, from the physiopathological point of view represents a catastrophe in brain functioning that involves structural and functional damage. Multiple strategies have been developed for the management of this pathology, currently the gold standard for its management is the rt-PA, however, due to its characteristics, and few patients have access to it, because it various pharmacological strategies have been developed. Citicoline has been used for years, nevertheless generates controversies since its usefulness, demonstrated in experimental studies, has not been reproduced in clinical practice but some studies suggest that it could worsen the patient's prognosis, which would justify the abandonment of its use in the treatment of ischemic CVD (ictus), for this reason we offer this review of the subject in order to provide tools to clarify this controversy.

Resumo: A doença cerebrovascular (DCbV) isquêmica é uma condição clínica que de acordo com sua extensão, implica em uma significativa incapacidade para o paciente, ademais de altos custos para seu tratamento agudo e crônico, bem como no manejo da incapacidade com alta incidência e prevalência a nível mundial. Do ponto de vista fisiopatológico representa uma catástrofe no funcionamento do cérebro que envolve danos estruturais e funcionais. Múltiplas estratégias têm sido desenvolvidas para o tratamento dessa patologia, atualmente o padrão ouro para o seu manejo é o rt-PA, porém, devido às suas características, poucos pacientes têm acesso a ele, razão pela qual várias estratégias farmacológicas foram desenvolvidas, a citicolina vem sendo utilizada há anos, gera controvérsias, uma vez que sua utilidade, demonstrada em estudos experimentais não foi reproduzida na prática clínica, mas alguns estudos sugerem que ela poderia piorar o prognóstico do paciente, o que justificaria o abandono do seu uso no tratamento de DCbV isquêmica (ictus), por esse motivo oferecemos esta revisão, a fim de fornecer ferramentas para esclarecer esta controvérsia.

Quality Assessment of Postmortem Tissue Donors in a University Hospital: Detection and Generation Tissue Indicators.

BACKGROUND: Defining quality assessment and measurement tools in the area of tissue donation should be considered to be one of the most important strategies for developing health centers. The aim of this project was to identify, define, and analyze a set of indicators to assess the most important steps in the tissue donor detection and generation processes. METHODS: A prospective, descriptive, and comparative study of all potential tissue donors (TDs) detected and generated in a university hospital was performed. All deceased patients after cardiocirculatory death were evaluated in 2015 by the transplant coordinators (TCs). We defined as detection indicators: total deaths, percentage of detection and evaluation, percentage of clinical contraindications, tissue donor potentiality (TDP; corneal or multitissue potentiality), and the functional detection time (FDT); and as generation indicators: generation rate (corneal or multitissue generation), family request time, number of interviewed relatives, and TC experience (y). RESULTS: The detection and evaluation rate was 100% (n = 1,235); tissue clinical contraindications were 57%, and TDP was 43% (n = 528; corneal, 80%; multitissue, 20%). The FDT was 24 ± 30 minutes. The generation rate was 53.4% (n = 282): corneal, 57% (n = 241); and multitissue, 40% (n = 41). Family request time was 10 ± 17 minutes, average number of interviewed relatives was 2.2 ± 1.6, and 35% of TCs had experience in the field for >5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Obtaining indicators for quality assessment in the area of tissue donation is useful in predicting the outcome of the TD process as well as promoting the approach of continuous improvement.

Spectrometer baseline control via spatial filtering.

An absorptive half-moon aperture mask is experimentally explored as a broad-bandwidth means of eliminating spurious spectral features arising from reprocessed radiation in an infrared Fourier transform spectrometer. In the presence of the spatial filter, an order of magnitude improvement in the fidelity of the spectrometer baseline is observed. The method is readily accommodated within the context of commonly employed instrument configurations and leads to a factor of two reduction in optical throughput. A detailed discussion of the underlying mechanism and limitations of the method are provided.

A broadband micro-machined far-infrared absorber.

The experimental investigation of a broadband far-infrared meta-material absorber is described. The observed absorptance is >0.95 from 1 to 20 THz (300-15 µm) over a temperature range spanning 5-300 K. The meta-material, realized from an array of tapers ≈100 µm in length, is largely insensitive to the detailed geometry of these elements and is cryogenically compatible with silicon-based micro-machined technologies. The electromagnetic response is in general agreement with a physically motivated transmission line model.

Efectividad de la terapia farmacológica oral utilizada para el tratamiento del control postural en niños con parálisis cerebral disquinética: una revisión sistemática / Effectiveness of oral pharmacologic therapy usedfor treatment of postural control in children withdyskinetic cerebral palsy (DCP): a systematic review

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of oral pharmacologic therapy in improving postural control and functionality in patients with DCP, with less than 20 years old, compared with any therapy or placebo. Methods: Randomized clinical trials and quasi-experimental with no restriction in publication date or language were included. The search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library (CENTRAL), Virtual Health Library (LILACS, SCIELO), ClinicalTrials.gov and Opengrey. The risk of bias was assessed according to the Cochrane Handbook for Interventions Systematic Reviews. Results: 3 cross over studies were included, according to the established criteria. The three drugs that were analyzed were: levodopa, and trihexyphenidyl and tetrabenazine, compared to placebo. No study had significant favorable results for the use of the drug over placebo. Conclusion: At the moment there is no evidence to support the use of oral medication in patients with DCP, based on the small number of high quality studies found, it is necessary to increase research on oral pharmacologic therapy in this group of patients.

Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad del tratamiento farmacológico oral destinado a mejorar el control postural y la funcionalidad en pacientes con parálisis cerebral disquinética (PCD) menores de 20 años comparado con cualquier terapia o placebo. Métodos: Se incluyeron ensayos clínicos aleatorizados y cuasi experimentales sin restricción de fecha de publicación o lenguaje. La búsqueda se realizó en Pubmed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library (CENTRAL), Biblioteca Virtual de la Salud (LILACS, SCIELO), ClinicalTrials.gov y Opengrey. El riesgo de sesgo fue evaluado de acuerdo al Manual Cochrane de Revisiones Sistemáticas de Intervenciones. Resultados: Se incluyeron 3 estudios cross-over de acuerdo a los criterios establecidos. Los tres fármacos analizados fueron: levodopa, tetrabenazina y trihexifenidilo, comparados con placebo. Ningún estudio tuvo resultados favorables de manera significativa para el uso del medicamento sobre placebo. Conclusión: Por el momento no existe evidencia que sustente el uso de la medicación oral en los pacientes con PCD en base al escaso número de estudios de alta calidad encontrados, siendo necesario que se aumente la investigación sobre el tratamiento farmacológico oral en este grupo de pacientes.

Targeting striatal metabotropic glutamate receptor type 5 in Parkinson's disease: bridging molecular studies and clinical trials.

Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors are G protein-coupled receptors expressed primarily on neurons and glial cells modulating the effects of glutamatergic neurotransmission. The pharmacological manipulation of these receptors has been postulated to be valuable in the management of some neurological disorders. Accordingly, the targeting of mGlu5 receptors as a therapeutic approach for Parkinson's disease (PD) has been proposed, especially to manage the adverse symptoms associated to chronic treatment with classical PD drugs. Thus, the specific pharmacological blocking of mGlu5 receptors constitutes one of the most attractive non-dopaminergic-based strategies for PD management in general and for the L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID) in particular. Overall, we provide here an update of the current state of the art of these mGlu5 receptor-based approaches that are under clinical study as agents devoted to alleviate PD symptoms.

Large-aperture wide-bandwidth antireflection-coated silicon lenses for millimeter wavelengths.

The increasing scale of cryogenic detector arrays for submillimeter and millimeter wavelength astrophysics has led to the need for large aperture, high index of refraction, low loss, cryogenic refracting optics. Silicon with n=3.4, low loss, and high thermal conductivity is a nearly optimal material for these purposes but requires an antireflection (AR) coating with broad bandwidth, low loss, low reflectance, and a matched coefficient of thermal expansion. We present an AR coating for curved silicon optics comprised of subwavelength features cut into the lens surface with a custom three-axis silicon dicing saw. These features constitute a metamaterial that behaves as a simple dielectric coating. We have fabricated silicon lenses as large as 33.4 cm in diameter with micromachined layers optimized for use between 125 and 165 GHz. Our design reduces average reflections to a few tenths of a percent for angles of incidence up to 30° with low cross polarization. We describe the design, tolerance, manufacture, and measurements of these coatings and present measurements of the optical properties of silicon at millimeter wavelengths at cryogenic and room temperatures. This coating and lens fabrication approach is applicable from centimeter to submillimeter wavelengths and can be used to fabricate coatings with greater than octave bandwidth.

Niveles de ingesta diaria de edulcorantes no nutritivos en escolares de la región de Valparaíso / Daily consumption levels of non-nutritive sweeteners in school age children from the Valparaiso region

Introduction: Artificial sweeteners are substances that do not provide energy and are added to foods to provide a sweet taste. Sweeteners are used to replace sugar either in part or entirely. Objective: To determine the consumption of artificial sweeteners in school children 6 to 14 years of age in the Valparaiso Region of Chile and to compare consumption according to nutritional status. Methods: 281 students of both sexes underwent anthropometric assessment (weight and height) and completed a food survey on the consumption of sweeteners. Results: 100% of students consume foods or products containing artificial sweeteners, although no student consumed more than the maximum allowed. When comparing by nutritional status, obese children, compared to those with normal weight had a higher consumption of sucralose, aspartame, saccharin and acesulfame potassium (p <0.05). Conclusion: The intake of sweeteners is massive, but consumption does not exceed permitted levels in this study sample.

Introducción: Los edulcorantes artificiales son sustancias que no aportan energía y que se agregan a los alimentos para proporcionarles un sabor dulce. Se emplean para reemplazar total o parcialmente el azúcar. Objetivo: Determinar el consumo de edulcorantes artificiales en escolares de 6 a 14 años de la región de Valparaíso y comparar su consumo según su estado nutricional. Métodos: A 281 estudiantes de ambos sexos se les realizó una evaluación antropométrica (peso y talla) y una encuesta alimentaria sobre consumo de edulcorantes. Resultados: El 100% de los estudiantes consumió alimentos o productos con contenido de edulcorantes, aunque ninguno de ellos sobre la dosis máxima admitida. Al comparar por estado nutricional, los estudiantes con obesidad presentaron una mayor consumo de sucralosa, aspartamo, sacarina y acesulfamo de potasio (p<0.05). Conclusión: La ingesta de edulcorantes es masiva, pero su consumo no sobrepasa los niveles permitidos por el Reglamento Sanitario de los Alimentos en la muestra estudiada.

Deferred urgency carotid artery stenting in symptomatic patients: clinical lessons and biomarker patterns from a prospective registry.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this prospective observational registry was to study the outcome of symptomatic patients presenting with recent TIA or minor stroke and severe carotid stenosis, submitted to early percutaneous treatment by stenting. A secondary aim was to evaluate the biological activity of the symptomatic carotid plaques by serial serum and urinary markers (PAPP-A, hs-CRP, MMP-2/MMP-9, IL-6/IL-8, TNF alpha, CD40L) measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before and after treatment. METHODS: From May 2005 to June 2006, 57 patients were enrolled in this prospective registry. All patients underwent carotid stenting using a concentric filter for cerebral protection. The procedure was performed within 24-48hrs of the last attack in patients with TIA (n=24, 42%) and between 14 and 30 days in patients with stroke (n=33, 58%). RESULTS: Successful stent implantation was achieved in all cases (100%). Adverse events at 1 month were 1 death (1.7%) and 2 TIAs (3.5%). Some of the vulnerability markers, in particular those reflecting an active systemic inflammatory process of the plaque (PAPP-A, hs-CR, and IL-6), were significantly elevated at the time of enrolment, increased after stenting and decreased after 30 days. CONCLUSION: Deferred CAS is feasible and safe in selected patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis. This preliminary study in a limited series of patients with unstable carotid plaques revealed that endovascular treatment has a satisfactory outcome considering the very high risk profile of the patient population. The evaluation of some biomarkers suggested an inflammatory role in the process of an unstable carotid plaque generating an acute cerebral event.

Descripción histológica de las glándulas anexas del aparato digestivo de avestruz (Struthio camelus var. domesticus) / Histologic description of the annexed glands from the ostrich digestive system (Struthio camelus var. domesticus)

En la última década, la crianza del avestruz en Chile ha ido aumentando sustancialmente, por lo cual se ha hecho necesario incrementar los estudios para mejorar la producción de esta especie. La literatura señala sólo estudios sobre la fisiología y anatomía de esta especie. Nuestro objetivo es aportar al conocimiento de la histología normal de las glándulas anexas al aparato digestivo. Esta investigación se realizó con 6 avestruces clínicamente sanas, de las que se obtuvieron muestras representativas del hígado, pro ventrículo y páncreas. Se realizaron cortes histológicos, los que fueron teñidos y montados para su análisis comparativo bajo microscopio de luz, entre avestruz y gallina. La histología de las glándulas anexas del aparato digestivo es semejante a la descrita en la gallina. Sin embargo, en el hígado los cordones de hepatocitos se disponen en forma radial, tanto alrededor de la vena central como de los espacios porta, característica no observada en otras especies. Con respecto al pro ventrículo, en la mucosa se observan glándulas tubulares simples o ramificadas, semejantes a las glándulas fúndicas de los mamíferos. En la submucosa se observan glándulas túbuloalveolares compuestas con células parietales. El páncreas no presenta diferencias destacables.

In the last decade the upbringing of the ostrich in Chile has increased substantially, for this reason it is necessary to increase the studies to improve the production of this species. The literature only points out studies on the physiology and anatomy of this species. The purpose of this work is to contribute to the knowledge of the normal histology from the annexed glands to the digestive system. This study was carried out clinically using 6 healthy ostriches, of which representative samples of the liver, proventricle and pancreas. Histological sections were realized, mounted and stained for their comparative analysis under low light microscope to describe with those cited in the hen. The histology of the annexed glands from the digestive system is similar to the described in the hen. However, in the liver the arrangement hepatic cords so is in the central vein such as the portal spaces is radial, characteristic not observed in other species. In relation to the histology of the proventricle, the tubular glands are quite, similar to the fundic glands of the mammals. In the submucosa compound tubulosacular glands are observed, with parietal cells. The pancreas doesn't present prominent differences.

Redirecting traditional professional values to support safety: changing organisational culture in health care.

Professionals in healthcare organisations who seek to enhance safety and quality in an increasingly demanding industry environment often identify culture as a barrier to change. The cultural focus on individual autonomy, for example, seems to conflict with desired norms of teamwork, problem reporting, and learning. We offer a definition and explication of why culture is important to change efforts. A cultural analysis of health care suggests professional values that can be redirected to support change. We offer examples of organisations that drew upon cultural strengths to create new ways of working and gradually shifted the culture.

Exchange interaction effects on the optical properties of LuMnO3.

We have measured the optical conductivity of single crystal LuMnO3 from 10 to 45000 cm(-1) at temperatures between 4 and 300 K. A symmetry allowed on-site Mn d-d transition near 1.7 eV is observed to blueshift ( approximately 0.1 eV) in the antiferromagnetic state due to Mn-Mn superexchange interactions. Similar anomalies are observed in the temperature dependence of the TO phonon frequencies which arise from spin-phonon interaction. We find that the known anomaly in the temperature dependence of the quasistatic dielectric constant epsilon(0) below T(N) approximately 90 K is overwhelmingly dominated by the phonon contributions.

Ebony (Phitecellobium flexicaule Benth) and proteins fractionation, solubilization, characterization and production of an isolate

Different combinations of pHs (2 to 12) and temperatures (25, 30 and 35 degrees C) were tested to obtain a protein isolate from ebony (Pithecellobium flexicaule, Benth) seeds. Seed proteins contained 54.6 per cent albumins, 32 per cent globulins, 5.7 per cent glutelins and 1.3 per cent prolamins. The isoelectric points for albumins, globulins and glutelins were in the pH range of 2.3-2.7. The average molecular weight of albumins ranged from 92 to 100 kDa and for the four globulin subunits in the range of 28.4 to 57.3 kDa. For isolate production, proteins were sequentially extracted with distilled water and a 5 per cent NaCl solution. The resulting supernatants were mixed. The best extraction was achieved at pH 11 and 25 degrees C. 45.6 per cent of the total seed protein was precipitated at pH 2.6 yielding an isolate with 90 per cent protein (N x 6.25). The isolate contained high quantities of lysine, leucine, threonine and phenylalanine but were low in sulfur containing amino acids methionine and cysteine. The extraction process reduced tannins, phytates and trypsin inhibitor in 53, 70 and 70 per cent, respectively. In vivo protein digestibility of the protein isolate was 85.4 per cent and the corrected digestibility essential amino acid score was of 44 per cent due to the lack of sulfur containing amino acids. In order to upgrade the protein quality of ebony isolate it is recommend to supplement with methionine or sulfur containing rich foods.

Naltrexone does not prevent the weight gain and hyperphagia induced by the antipsychotic drug sulpiride in rats.

Few pharmacological tools are currently available to counteract the excessive body weight gain often observed during prolonged administration of antipsychotic drugs. Most antipsychotic drugs block dopamine receptors, and both the brain dopaminergic and opioid systems appear to be involved in initiation and maintenance of feeding behavior, respectively. We evaluated whether the opioid antagonist naltrexone (NAL, 0.5-16 mg/kg/ip for 21 days) (a) affects body weight and food intake in gonadally-intact and drug-free female rats, (b) prevents obesity, hyperphagia, hyperprolactinemia and vaginal cycle disruption induced by long-term administration of the antipsychotic drug sulpiride (SUL, 20 mg/kg/ip for 21 days), or (c) reverses the acute hyperphagia induced by SUL (15 microg bilaterally), when directly applied in the perifornical lateral hypothalamus (PFLH). In drug-free rats, only NAL doses above 4 mg/kg, significantly decreased weight gain and food intake. Even though NAL (1 and 8 mg/kg) significantly attenuated SUL-induced hyperphagia and hyperprolactinemia, it did not reverse at any dose the weight gain and permanent diestrous induced by SUL. In addition, local NAL did not prevent the hyperphagia and polidypsia observed after acute intrahypothalamic SUL. Unexpectedly, the cumulative and 24 h food intake in SUL-treated rats was significantly increased by NAL. Collectively, these results do not support a role for endogenous opiates in the neural and endocrine mechanisms involved in weight gain during prolonged antipsychotic drug administration in rats.

Mechanism of the neuroleptic-induced obesity in female rats.

1. Obesity is an undesirable side effect of neuroleptics which affects 50% approximately of patients under a program of chronic administration. 2. An animal model of neuroleptic-induced obesity and hyperphagia has been developed in female rats treated chronically with sulpiride (20 mg/Kg/ip. for 21 days). However, it is unknown whether or not the hyperphagia is essential for the development of this type of obesity. 3. Sulpiride or vehicle was administered in two experimental conditions: in the first one, food was available in an amount which was three times the previous individual daily food intake; in the second one, the daily food provision was maintained at the individual daily average before starting the treatments. This way hyperphagia was prevented in half of the groups. Besides the body weight gain measurement in all the groups, the serum levels of estradiol, prolactin, glucose and lipids were assessed in the groups with unrestricted food intake. 4. Food restriction prevented the sulpiride-induced weight gain, even though the rats displayed a permanent diestrus which suggests an hyperprolactinemia-induced impairment in the balance of the reproductive hormones that may promote weight gain. However, the basal levels of estradiol were not affected by sulpiride. 5. The high density cholesterol was significantly increased by sulpiride, and the serum glucose levels were significantly decreased, however these changes were only detected during the first week of treatment. 6. The decrease in the serum glucose levels may be an early consequence of hyperinsulinemia. 7. Neuroleptic-induced obesity in rats appears to mimic energy intake, endocrine status and carbohydrate metabolism in humans under chronic neuroleptic administration. However, these rodents did not display the typical changes in blood lipids observed in human obesity.

[Effect of cooking on the chemical and nutritional value of the Pithecellobium flexicaule (Bent) seed]. / Efecto de la cocción sobre la composición química y valor nutricio de la semilla de Pithecellobium flexicaule (Bent).

The leguminous P. flexicaule grows at the Northeast of Mexico. People living at this region traditionally consume the seeds (unripe cooked or toasted mature). Three localities samples of mature seeds were analyzed. The main results were: Protein (Nx6.25) 35.3%, lipids 25% and total dietary fiber (TDF) 13.2%. After a toasted treatment during 10 minutes (80-90 degrees C), the true protein digestibility increased from 79.3-91.8%, the phytate content and protein inhibitors decreased up to 35 an 96% respectively. Tannin concentration increased from 12.4 to 236 mg eq. cathequine/100 g, probably because during the treatment they passed from the shell to the cotyledons. Unripe seeds gave; protein 12.7%, lipids 6.6%, TDF 3.5%. When the unripe seeds in their sheath were boiling, the true protein digestibility was 85.8% (same value of the raw seeds), phytate content was reduced 68.4% and tannin concentration rose from 4.9 to 226 mg. Due to these results, the seeds free of the shell and sheaths were boiling, this time the tannin and phytate concentration were reduced 73.5 and 88.6% respectively, the true protein digestibility was 94.5%. The sulphur containing amino acids were the limit, as in other leguminous, the protein digestibility corrected amino acid score was 50.6% (unripe seeds), similar to that of pinto beans.

Amantadine in the treatment of neuroleptic-induced obesity in rats: behavioral, endocrine and neurochemical correlates.

The efficacy of the antiviral agent Amantadine (AM, 5-100 mg/kg/sc, ip or intrahypothalamically, 12.5-100 micrograms bilaterally) in influencing body weight and food intake in drug-free rats, and in preventing neuroleptic-induced weight gain, was assessed in adult female rats. In drug-free rats, acute administration of systemic AM or directly injected in the lateral hypothalamus (LH) displayed a significant dose-dependent anorectic effect (p < 0.001). This effect could be mediated by the brain monoaminergic system, because systemic or local injections of AM increased dopamine and serotonin overflow in the nucleus accumbens and in the LH. Chronic administration of AM significantly decreased body weight gain in drug-free rats only at the dose of 100 mg/kg/sc. Similarly, obesity induced by the neuroleptic drug sulpiride (SUL, 20 mg/kg/ip for 21 days) was prevented by AM only at the dose of 100 mg/kg. AM did not prevent SUL-induced hyperprolactinemia, disruption of the vaginal cycle and a decrement in the weight of the uterus and ovaries at any dosage. This lack of efficacy of AM contrasts with that of bromocriptine, which completely prevented SUL-induced weight gain and hyperprolactinemia. The results show that despite a potent acute anorectic effect, AM displays a weak antagonistic action on SUL-induced obesity in rats, in contrast to the preliminary results obtained in humans. As AM metabolism differs in humans and rats, additional research is needed before its systematic testing in counteracting neuroleptic-induced obesity in patients with mental disorders.