Behavior and heart rate variability after intranasal administration of oxytocin in Holstein steers.

Oxytocin (OXT) is a neuropeptide that regulates memory, emotion, stress response, and behavior in the brain. In our previous study with cattle, we demonstrated the anti-stress effect of intracerebroventricularly administered OXT on the central nervous system. However, it is important to investigate the effects of this peptide after intranasal administration, as it offers convenience and non-invasiveness for practical use. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of intranasal OXT on the behavior and autonomic nervous system of Holstein steers. The experiment followed a within-subjects design, including a total of six steers. Each steer received intranasal administration of either 1 mL of saline (SAL), 100 µg OXT (OXT100), or 200 µg OXT (OXT200). However, due to some issues, the sample size for the OXT200 group was reduced to five. After these treatments, we conducted electrocardiography recordings to analyze heart rate variability (HRV) and also made behavioral observations for 90 min. OXT200 tended to increase the time spent ruminating while lying down (Steel's multiple comparison test; P=0.053). In contrast, OXT treatment did not affect HRV indices. In conclusion, the current OXT dosage did not significantly affects behavior or the autonomic nervous system. However, the observed tendency to increase rumination may suggest a central effect of OXT.

Influence of sickness condition on diurnal rhythms of heart rate and heart rate variability in cows.

Parameters of heart rate variability would explain changes in heart rate during the disease status in cows and to evaluate whether such changes might provide a more sensitive and quantitative indicator of these conditions than crude indices. For this purpose, we recorded electrocardiograms for 24 hr using a Holter-type electrocardiograph and applied power spectral analysis of heart rate variability in both five clinically healthy and four hospitalized cows. The significant findings of the current investigation were that the diurnal variations of autonomic nervous function are abolished in cows that are sick. This abnormal rhythm was induced by predominant parasympathetic inhibition in these cows. Therefore, the heart rate variability may be a useful indicator of sickness condition in cows.

Characterization of a gene coding for a putative adenosine deaminase-related growth factor by RNA interference in the basidiomycete Flammulina velutipes.

A full-length cDNA coding for a putative adenosine deaminase (Fv-ada) was isolated from the basidiomycete Flammulina velutipes. Fv-ada encodes a polypeptide consisting of 537 amino acid residues, which has a consensus sequence conserved among adenosine deaminase-related growth factors (ADGF) found in several metazoa, including chordates and insects. Fv-ada transcript was detected at all stages of growth in dikaryotic F. velutipes cells, with a peak at the primordial stage. Heterologous expression of Fv-ada in the yeast Pichia pastoris produced recombinant Fv-ADA that catalyzed the conversion of adenosine to inosine. Dikaryotic mycelia from F. velutipes were transformed with the binary plasmid pFungiway-Fv-ada, which was designed to suppress the expression of Fv-ada through RNA interference. The growth rates of the resulting transformants were retarded in response to the degree of suppression, indicating that Fv-ada plays an important role in the mycelial growth of F. velutipes. These results suggested that ADGF could function as growth factors in fungi, as is seen in other eukaryotes.

Riluzole rapidly attenuates hyperemotional responses in olfactory bulbectomized rats, an animal model of depression.

Growing evidence indicates that the glutamatergic neurotransmitter system is central to the neurobiology and treatment of depression. Riluzole, a drug currently used to slow the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), directly affects the glutamatergic system. In this study, we investigated the effects of riluzole in olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) rats, an animal model of depression. The olfactory bulbs in rats were removed by suction. The emotionality of rats was measured by scoring their responses to given stimuli, i.e., attack, startle, struggle, and fight responses. The OBX rats chronically treated with vehicle for 7 days at 14 days following surgery showed significant increases in emotionality responses. Single (1st day administration) and subchronic (7th day administration) riluzole treatment (1-10 mg/kg, po) significantly and dose-dependently reduced hyperemotional responses in OBX rats. Both single and subchronic riluzole treatment (10 mg/kg, po) had no significant effects on the emotional responses in sham operated rats. In addition, we demonstrated that single riluzole treatment (10 mg/kg, po) significantly decreased extracellular glutamate levels in medial prefrontal cortex of OBX rats by in vivo microdialysis. We provide the first experimental evidence that riluzole rapidly attenuated hyperemotional responses in OBX rats, an animal model of depression.

Combined effect of probucol and insulin on renal damage in diabetic rats fed a high cholesterol diet.

We investigated the effects of long-term treatment with probucol, a hypolipidemic agent with antioxidative action, insulin, or their combination on renal damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats fed a high cholesterol diet. Increases in urinary albumin and lipid peroxide excretions were observed in these diabetic rats, when both urinary parameters were measured at 8 and 15 weeks after streptozotocin administration. Daily treatment with probucol, insulin, or their combination markedly suppressed the increase in the 24 h urinary albumin and lipid peroxide excretions. Furthermore, glycogen degeneration of distal tubules, fatty degeneration of glomerular endothelium, and hypertrophy of glomeruli and mesangium were observed in the kidneys of the diabetic animals, when histopathological evaluation was performed at 4, 8 and 15 weeks (glomerular and mesangial hypertrophy was observed only at 15 weeks). Combined probucol and insulin treatment was the most effective in suppressing these renal histopathological changes. These results indicate that combined treatment with probucol and insulin is useful in preventing the progression of renal damage in diabetic rats. The possible mechanisms for the preventive effect of this combined treatment will be discussed.

Effect of combined vitamin E and insulin administration on renal damage in diabetic rats fed a high cholesterol diet.

In the present study, we investigated the effects of a long-term treatment with vitamin E, an antioxidant vitamin, insulin, or their combination on renal damage in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats fed a high cholesterol diet. Increases in urinary albumin and lipid peroxide (LPO) excretions were observed in these diabetic rats, when both urinary parameters were measured at 8 and 15 weeks after STZ administration. Daily treatment with vitamin E, insulin, or their combination markedly suppressed the increase in the 24 h urinary albumin and lipid peroxide excretions. Furthermore, glycogen degeneration of distal tubules, fatty degeneration of glomerular endothelium and hypertrophy of glomeruli and mesangium were observed in the kidneys of the diabetic animals when histopathological evaluation was performed at 4, 8, and 15 weeks (glomerular and mesangial hypertrophy were observed only at 15 weeks). Combined vitamin E and insulin treatment was the most effective at suppressing these renal histopathological changes. These results indicate that combined vitamin E and insulin treatment additively prevents the development and progression of renal damage in diabetic rats. Possible mechanisms for the preventive effect of this combined treatment are discussed.

Combined effect of probucol and insulin on cataracts of diabetic rats fed a high cholesterol diet.

We investigated the effects of long-term treatment with probucol, a hypolipidemic agent with antioxidative action, insulin, or their combination on cataracts of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats fed a high cholesterol diet. Each rat was checked for cataracts at 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 15 weeks after streptozotocin injection. Cataracts were observed from 8 weeks in untreated hypercholesterolemic and diabetic rats and the incidence of catarats increased to 100% by 15 weeks. The incidence of cataracts in rats treated with probucol, insulin and their combination was first seen at 12, 12 and 15 weeks, respectively, and was 86%, 63% and 33%, respectively, at 15 weeks. The preventive effects of both agents alone and their combination on the cataracts were confirmed by histopathological evaluation of eyeballs. The combined treatment with both agents markedly improved hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and increased serum lipid peroxide levels. These results indicate that the combined treatment with probucol and insulin is useful in preventing the development and progression of diabetic cataracts.

Combined effect of vitamin E and insulin on cataracts of diabetic rats fed a high cholesterol diet.

In the present study we investigated the effects of a long-term treatment with vitamin E, an antioxidant vitamin, insulin or their combination on cataracts of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats fed a high cholesterol diet. Each rat was checked for cataracts at 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 15 weeks after STZ injection. Cataracts were observed from 8 weeks in the control diabetic rats and their incidence of catarats increased to 100% by 12 weeks. The incidence of cataracts in rats treated with vitamin E, insulin and their combination was first seen at 12 weeks and 56%, 20% and 10%, respectively, at 12 weeks and 78%, 50% and 20%, respectively, at 15 weeks. The preventive effects of either agent alone and their combination on the cataracts were in agreement with those obtained by histopathological evaluation of eyeballs. The combined treatment with both agents markedly improved hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and increased serum lipid peroxide levels. These results indicate that the combined treatment with vitamin E and insulin is useful in preventing the development and progression of diabetic cataracts.

MR imaging of disorders associated with female infertility: use in diagnosis, treatment, and management.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has extended the usefulness of imaging in evaluation of pelvic disorders associated with female infertility. The causes of female infertility include ovulatory disorders (ie, pituitary adenoma and polycystic ovarian syndrome), disorders of the fallopian tubes (ie, hydrosalpinx and pelvic inflammatory disease), uterine disorders (ie, müllerian duct anomaly, adenomyosis, and leiomyoma), and pelvic endometriosis. Although laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, hysterosalpingography, and transvaginal ultrasonography are the most effective techniques for evaluation of pelvic disorders related to female infertility, MR imaging is used in a variety of clinical settings in diagnosis, treatment, and management. The applications of MR imaging include evaluation of the functioning uterus and ovaries, visualization of pituitary adenomas, differentiation of müllerian duct anomalies, and accurate noninvasive diagnosis of adenomyosis, leiomyoma, and endometriosis. In addition, MR imaging helps predict the outcome of conservative treatment for adenomyosis, leiomyoma, and endometriosis and may lead to selection of better treatment plans and management. Finally, MR imaging may serve as an adjunct to diagnostic laparoscopy and hysterosalpingography in patients with hydrosalpinx, peritubal adhesions, or pelvic adhesions related to endometriosis.

Intermittent, repetitive administrations of irinotecan (CPT-11) reduces its side-effects.

To reduce the side-effects of irinotecan (CPT-11) while maintaining its anti-cancer effects against recurrent ovarian carcinomas, we devised a novel administration schedule for CPT-11 single chemotherapy. It consisted of an initial dose of 70 mg/m2, followed by increasing the dose to 100 mg/m2 every 10 days (three times per month) for 9 cycles. Nineteen patients with refractory or recurrent ovarian carcinomas were treated. In comparison with a late phase II study of single CPT-11 chemotherapy in Japan (100 mg/m2 every 7 days; four times per month), the number of patients who suffered from leukocytopenia and diarrhea higher than grade 3 was significantly lower with our new method (36.8 versus 57.1%; P < 0.01 and 0 versus 19.2%; P < 0.001, respectively). The total response rate was 26% (5/19). This rate was almost equal to a late phase II study. We suggest that our new protocol of single CPT-11 administration should be available clinically to all patients for reducing the side-effects while maintaining its anti-cancer effects. CPT-11 is useful in patients with refractory ovarian carcinomas as a second- or third-line chemotherapy.

Cystic ovarian lesions in SSFP diffusion imaging.

PURPOSE: MR assessments of ovarian cystic lesions are usually based on morphological features, signal intensities and enhancement with contrast media. This study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of the steady-state free precession (SSFP) diffusion imaging of cystic ovarian lesions for analyzing cystic contents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-one ovarian cystic lesions in 37 patients were examined. The diffusion-related coefficient (DRC) and the ratio of the relative apparent diffusion coefficient of the lesion to that of subcutaneous fat tissue (rADC(L)/rADC(F)) were calculated from SSFP diffusion images. RESULTS: The DRCs and the rADC(L)/rADC(F) ratios in endometrial cysts and in the fatty parts of dermoid cysts were significantly lower than in other cystic tumors. CONCLUSION: SSFP diffusion imaging can be included in clinical practice to analyze ovarian cystic lesions within a short scan time; the DRC and the rADC(L)/rADC(F) ratio are useful for evaluating cystic contents.