Thinking about the past to shape the present: neural activation during the recall of relationship episodes.

Reflecting on oneself and others in relationships is an ability that is central to our social existence. Specifically, considering formative autobiographical experiences in relationships may contribute to more flexibility in perceiving, as well as in shaping present relationships. Reflecting on such experiences mobilizes different social cognitive and affective processes. We aim to explore the neural basis of these processes. With a newly developed functional magnetic imaging (fMRI) task, we investigated brain activation in 35 healthy individuals during recall of relationship episodes involving themselves or others. We found that recalling formative episodes involving themselves modulated brain activity in the right parahippocampus, left precuneus, bilateral fusiform gyrus, bilateral insula, and left presupplementary motor area. These areas are involved in memory processes, self-generated thought, and affective experience. The recall of relationship episodes involving others led to similar activation patterns. Our results underscore the close link between self-reflection, understanding others, and memory processes and emphasize the role of affective dimensions for self-relevant experiences. They contribute to a growing body of research on neural mechanisms involved in complex social cognitive processes decisive for our capacity to navigate our social environment.

Inflammation and atrial remodeling after a mountain marathon.

Endurance athletes have an increased risk of atrial fibrillation. We performed a longitudinal study on elite runners of the 2010 Jungfrau Marathon, a Swiss mountain marathon, to determine acute effects of long-distance running on the atrial myocardium. Ten healthy male athletes were included and examined 9 to 1 week prior to the race, immediately after, and 1, 5, and 8 days after the race. Mean age was 34.9 ± 4.2 years, and maximum oxygen consumption was 66.8 ± 5.8 mL/kg*min. Mean race time was 243.9 ± 17.7 min. Electrocardiographic-determined signal-averaged P-wave duration (SAPWD) increased significantly after the race and returned to baseline levels during follow-up (128.7 ± 10.9 vs. 137.6 ± 9.8 vs. 131.5 ± 8.6 ms; P < 0.001). Left and right atrial volumes showed no significant differences over time, and there were no correlations of atrial volumes and SAPWD. Prolongation of the SAPWD was accompanied by a transient increase in levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, proinflammatory cytokines, total leucocytes, neutrophil granulocytes, pro atrial natriuretic peptide and high-sensitivity troponin. In conclusion, marathon running was associated with a transient conduction delay in the atria, acute inflammation and increased atrial wall tension. This may reflect exercise-induced atrial myocardial edema and may contribute to atrial remodeling over time, generating a substrate for atrial arrhythmias.

Quantitative determination of progesterone (P4) in canine blood serum using an enzyme-linked fluorescence assay.

Progesterone (P4) measurement in the peripheral blood is an objective parameter for determination of reproductive functions in the bitch. This study evaluates an enzyme-linked fluorescence assay (ELFA) (Biomerieux, France) for the determination of progesterone validated for use in human. The ELFA is to be performed on the MiniVidas automated analyser which provides quantitative results within 45 min. Blood samples from a total of 27 female dogs of different breeds were used. To test the correctness of the ELFA 15 blood samples with a range of 0.3-40.0 ng/ml were compared to a radioimmunoassay (RIA) validated in the dog. The values obtained with the MiniVidas showed a high agreement (mean deviation 15%), deviations were in both directions and the correlation coefficient was 0.989. The coefficient of correlation according to Passing-Bablok test was 0.995. The intra-assay reproducibility in the MiniVidas system was tested on five samples (mean values 61.8, 6.8, 51.4, 43.7 and 1.1 ng/ml). The coefficients of variation (CV; 10-12 replicates) were 3.4%, 6.7%, 2.6%, 3.1% and 25.4%, respectively. Four serum samples (mean value 47.0, 15.1, 49.1 and 4.0 ng/ml) from different bitches were assayed singly in 10 separate series to test the inter-assay variability. The corresponding CV was 2.1%, 2.2%, 3.1% and 4.3% respectively. Samples from three dogs were used to test the accuracy of the assay. These samples were diluted (1/2, 1/4, 1/8 and 1/16) with charcoal-stripped human serum (Biomerieux, France) and tested in three runs. The expected values were met in a range of 60-75%. Measurement of progesterone for the detection of ovulation as well as prediction of parturition provided meaningful results. As a conclusion the use of the MiniVidas system for determination of P4 in peripheral blood of the bitch provides rapid and reliable results.

Estrus induction in Beagle bitches with the GnRH-agonist implant containing 4.7 mg Deslorelin.

Estrogens, gonadotrophins, dopamine agonists, gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) and its agonists have been used for estrus induction in bitches. A long acting GnRH agonist implant (4.7 mg Deslorelin; Suprelorin®, Virbac) with a continuous hormone release has been developed for suppression of sexual function in male dogs. In this study we administered the Deslorelin implant placed subcutaneously on the medial side of the leg to induce estrus in 11 anestrous Beagle bitches (group A). 6 Beagle bitches (group B) with a spontaneous estrous cycle were used as controls. The progress of pre-estrus and estrus was documented by behaviour, vaginoscopy, vaginal cytology and progesterone concentration. In group A a bloody vaginal discharge was detected on average 4.8 (range 3-10) d after application of the implant. At this moment implants were removed under local anaesthesia. Pre-estrus lasted for an average of 4.5 d (range 1-12). All bitches showed estrous signs and ovulated. The ovulation took place on day 8.2 (range 4-15) after start of pre-estrus. In group B pre-estrus lasted for 7.5 d (range 6-9), and the mean day of ovulation was day 11 (range 9-13). As a consequence of ovulation, progesterone serum concentrations exceeded 10 ng/ml during or after the time of ovulation in all bitches. All bitches were bred to fertile Beagle stud dogs or inseminated with fresh semen intravaginally. Between days nine and 19 after ovulation all bitches underwent ovariohysterectomy. The uterine horns were flushed and flushes were examined for ova or embryos. The pregnancy rate in group A was 63.6% and in group B 66.7%. Despite the significantly shorter period of pre-estrus a fertile estrus could be induced in 7 out of 11 treated bitches. Induction of a fertile estrus can be achieved with a GnRH-implant-already registered for the use in male dogs-placed subcutaneously on the medial side of the leg.

[Treatment of a uterine adenocarcinoma in a miniature pig by ovariohysterectomy]. / Behandlung eines Uterusadenokarzinoms eines Minipigs durch Ovariohysterektomie.

An 11-year-old, 75-kg, miniature pig was presented because of haemorrhagic vulvar discharge attributable to chronic endometritis. Ovariohysterectomy was carried out with the patient in dorsal recumbency and anaesthetised using total intavenous anaesthesia and positive-pressure ventilation. A ventral midline approach was chosen to remove the ovaries and uterus, which contained brown fluid and multifocal masses in the uterine wall. Histological examination of the uterine masses revealed leiomyoma, cystic hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma. After surgery, the miniature pig recovered without complications and remained healthy at follow-up 4 months later.

Misdiagnosis caused by fungal contaminant in a histological stain solution.

Silver stains on tissue and cytology specimens are important in the evaluation of patients with suspected fungal infections. Care must be taken, however, to prevent misinterpretation of contamination artifacts. Two cases presenting such a problem are reported. The first patient had granulomatous leg lesions that microscopically showed characteristics of erythema induratum but with budding yeastlike organisms demonstrated by Grocott methenamine silver stain. Cultures and subsequent biopsies were negative for fungi. The second patient had a steroid-dependent chronic obstructive lung disease, and during evaluation for possible Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, the Grocott methenamine silver stain on expectorated sputum showed budding yeastlike organisms. Sputum cultures were negative for fungi. Examination of the two Grocott light-green counterstain solutions demonstrated black, budding yeast cells similar to those seen in the specimens from the patients. Culture of the counterstain grew Exophiala (Phialophora) jeanselmei. Further studies revealed that this cause of misdiagnosis could be prevented by either filtering or adding thymol to the counterstain solution. Care regarding contamination of histological stain solutions is emphasized.