Maternal immune activation in late gestation enhances locomotor response to acute but not chronic amphetamine treatment in male mice offspring: Role of the D1 receptor

Exposure to elevated levels of maternal cytokines can lead to functional abnormalities of the dopaminergic system in the adult offspring, including enhanced amphetamine (AMPH)-induced locomotion. Therefore, it seems reasonable to consider that offspring of challenged mothers would behave differently in models of addictive behavior, such as behavioral sensitization. Thus, we sought to evaluate the effects of prenatal exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the locomotor response to acute and chronic AMPH treatment in male mice offspring. For this purpose, LPS (Escherichia coli 0127:B8; 120 mu g/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to pregnant Swiss mice on gestational day 17. At adulthood, male offspring were studied under one of the following conditions: (1) locomotor response to acute AMPH treatment (2.5 or 5.0 mg/kg) in an open field test; (2) behavioral sensitization paradigm, which consists of a daily injection of AMPH (1.0 mg/kg) for 10 days and observation of locomotion in the open field on days 1, 5, 10 (development phase), 15 and 17 (expression phase). The LPS stimulated offspring showed enhancement of the locomotor-stimulant effect after an acute AMPH challenge in comparison to baseline and saline pre-treated mice. They also showed development of behavioral sensitization earlier than the saline pre-treated group, although no changes between saline and LPS pre-treated groups were observed on development or expression of locomotor behavioral sensitization to AMPH. Furthermore, there was up-regulation of D1 receptor protein level within striatum in the LPS-stimulated offspring which was strongly correlated with increased grooming behavior. Taken together, our results indicate that motor and dopaminergic alterations caused by maternal immune activation are restricted to the acute AMPH challenge, mostly due to up-regulation of the D1 receptor within the mesolimbic and nigrostriatal pathways, but no locomotor differences were observed for behavioral sensitization to AMPH. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Relationship between ethanol and sucrose self-administration and schedule-induced polydipsia

Studies have suggested a relationship between drug abuse and compulsive behaviors. The present experiments investigated the relationship between schedule-induced polydipsia (SIP) and self-administration (SA) of ethanol and sucrose. SIP served as a model of compulsive behavior. and oral self-administration on a progressive-ratio (PR) schedule of reinforcement assessed the reinforcing value of either a 10% ethanol solution or an isocaloric sucrose solution. Rats first were exposed to PR sessions in which break points were the dependent variable and then switched to SIP sessions. with number of licks as the dependent variable. Results showed a positive relationship between PR and SIP for sucrose but not for ethanol: higher and lower PRs for sucrose were associated with higher and lower SIP levels. The order of the sessions then was reversed, such that SIP sessions were run before PR sessions. An opposite relationship was observed in which high and low SIP animals exhibited low and high PR break points, respectively. The relationship between SIP and SA was dependent on the reinforcing value of the substance and on prior SIP exposure. These results may reflect a common dopaminergic substrate and suggest that prior experience in coping with stress may reduce vulnerability to substance abuse behavior. (c) 2008 Published by Elsevier Inc.

ASSOCIATIVE SYMMETRY BY PIGEONS AFTER FEW-EXEMPLAR TRAINING

The present experiment investigated whether pigeons can show associative symmetry on a two-alternative matching to-sample procedure The procedure consisted of a within subject sequence of training and testing with reinforcement and It provided (a) exemplars of symmetrical responding and (b) all prerequisite discriminations among test samples and comparisons After pigeons had learned two arbitrary matching tasks (A B and C D) they were given a reinforced symmetry test for half of the baseline relations (B1-A1 and D1-C1) To control for the effects of reinforcement during testing two novel nonsymmetrical responses were concurrently reinforced using the other baseline stimuli (D2-A2 and B2-C2) Pigeons matched at chance on both types of relations thus indicating no evidence for symmetry These symmetrical and nonsymmetrical relations were then directly trained in order to provide exemplars of symmetry and all prerequisite discriminations for a second test The symmetrical test relations were now B2-A2 and D2-C2 and the nonsymmetrical relations were D1-A1 and B1-C1 On this test 1 pigeon showed clear evidence of symmetry 2 pigeons showed weak evidence and 1 pigeon showed no evidence The previous training of all prerequisite discriminations among stimuli and the within subject control for testing with reinforcement seem to have set favorable conditions for the emergence of symmetry in nonhumans However the variability across subjects shows that methodological variables still remain to be controlled

Tank experiments with borehole self-potential data

Despite their importance in the evaluation of petroleum and gas reservoirs, measurements of self-potential data under borehole conditions (well-logging) have found only minor applications in aquifer and waste-site characterization. This can be attributed to lower signals from the diffusion fronts in near-surface environments because measurements are made long after the drilling of the well, when concentration fronts are already disappearing. Proportionally higher signals arise from streaming potentials that prevent using simple interpretation models that assume signals from diffusion only. Our laboratory experiments found that dual-source self-potential signals can be described by a simple linear model, and that contributions (from diffusion and streaming potentials) can be isolated by slightly perturbing the borehole conditions. Perturbations are applied either by changing the concentration of the borehole-filling solution or its column height. Parameters useful for formation evaluation can be estimated from data measured during perturbations, namely, pore water resistivity, pressure drop across the borehole wall, and electrokinetic coupling parameter. These are important parameters to assess, respectively, water quality, aquifer lateral continuity, and interfacial properties of permeable formations.

Safety and efficacy of gemcitabine plus cisplatin combination in pretreated metastatic breast cancer patients

Metastatic breast cancers (MBC) previously treated with anthracyclines (A) and taxanes (T) have a complicated management. Gemcitabine (G)-cisplatin (C) combinations have been used as synergistic salvage therapy in MBC and are considered as another option for patients with important symptoms and aggressive visceral disease. We analyzed the safety and efficacy of GC in AT-pretreated MBC, as well as overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP). Forty-nine subjects received IV G 750 mg/m(2) and C 30 mg/m(2), both d1 and d8 every 3 weeks. Response evaluation was performed every second cycle and in the end of treatment. GC protocol was the first-line palliative chemotherapy in half of the cases, and median number of cycles/patient were 4(2-12). Lung (75.5%) was the most frequent site of metastasis. Most of the patients related clinical improvement with chemotherapy with minimal/mild tolerable collateral effects in 85.7% of cases. Following 34 months, mean OS/TTP was 13.12/6.6 months. Objective-responded patients (40.3%) were statistically associated with the improvement in symptoms after CT (P < 0.01), and OS was directly correlated with chemotherapy response (P < 0.01). HER-2 overexpression was a prognostic factor with reduced OS (P = 0.01). GC protocol was effective and tolerable in objective-responded patients.

Ordovician klippen structures of the Sierra de Umango: New insights on Tectonic evolution of the Western Sierras Pampeanas, Argentina

The basement rock of the Pampean flat-slab (Sierras Pampeanas) in the Central Andes was uplifted and rotated in the Cenozoic era. The Western Sierras Pampeanas are characterised by meta-igneous rocks of Grenvillian Mesoproterozoic age and metasedimentary units metamorphosed in the Ordovician period. These rocks, known as the northern Cuyania composite terrane, were derived from Laurentia and accreted toward Western Gondwana during the Early Paleozoic. The Sierra de Umango is the westernmost range of the Western Sierras Pampeanas.This range is bounded by the Devonian sedimentary rocks of the Precordillera on the western side and Tertiary rocks from the Sierra de Maz and Sierra del Espinal on the eastern side and contains igneous and sedimentary rocks outcroppings from the Famatina System on the far eastern side. The Sierra de Umango evolved during a period of polyphase tectonic activity, including an Ordovician collisional event, a Devonian compressional deformation, Late Paleozoic and Mesozoic extensional faulting and sedimentation (Paganzo and Ischigualasto basins) and compressional deformation of the Andean foreland during the Cenozoic. A Nappe System and an important shear zone, La Puntilla-La Falda Shear Zone (PFSZ), characterise the Ordovician collisional event, which was related to the accretion of Cuyania Terrane to the proto-Andean margin of Gondwana. Three continuous deformational phases are recognised for this event: the D1 phase is distinguished by relics of 51 preserved as internal foliation within interkinematic staurolite por-phyroblasts and likely represents the progressive metamorphic stage; the D2 phase exhibits P-T conditions close to the metamorphic peak that were recorded in an 52 transposition or a mylonitic foliation and determine the main structure of Umango; and the D3 phase is described as a set of tight to recumbent folds with S3 axial plane foliation, often related to thrust faults, indicating the retrogressive metamorphic stage. The Nappe System shows a top-to-the S/SW sense direction of movement, and the PFSZ served as a right lateral ramp in the exhumation process. This structural pattern is indicative of an oblique collision, with the Cuyania Terrane subducting under the proto-Andean margin of Gondwana in the NE direction. This continental subduction and exhumation lasted at least 30 million years, nearly the entire Ordovician period, and produced metamorphic conditions of upper amphibolite-to-granulite facies in medium- to high-pressure regimes. At least two later events deformed the earlier structures: D4 and D5 deformational phases. The D4 deformational phase corresponds to upright folding, with wavelengths of approximately 10 km and a general N-S orientation. These folds modified the S2 surface in an approximately cylindrical manner and are associated with exposed, discrete shear zones in the Silurian Guandacolinos Granite. The cylindrical pattern and subhorizontal axis of the D4 folds indicates that the S2 surface was originally flat-lying. The D4 folds are responsible for preserving the basement unit Juchi Orthogneiss synformal klippen. This deformation corresponds to the Chanica Tectonic during the interval between the Devonian and Carboniferous periods. The D5 deformational phase comprehends cuspate-lobate shaped open plunging folds with E W high-angle axes (D5 folds) and sub-vertical spaced cleavage. The D5 folds and related spaced cleavage deformed the previous structures and could be associated with uplifting during the Andean Cycle. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Antimicrobial activity and enterococcus faecalis biofilm formation on chlorhexidine varnishes

Objective: To evaluate, in vitro, the antimicrobial activity and biofilm formation of three chlorhexidine varnishes in four Enterococcus faecalis strains: E. faecalis ATCC 29212, E. faecalis EF-D1 (from failed endodontic treatment), E. faecalis 072 (cheese) and E. faecalis U-1765 (nosocomial infection), and one Enterococcus durans strain (failed endodontic treatment). Study Design: The direct contact test was used to study the antimicrobial activity. Bacterial suspensions were exposed for one hour to EC40, Cervitec (CE) and Cervitec Plus (CEP) varnishes. "Eradication" was defined as 100% bacterial kill. The formation of enterococci biofilms was tested on the surface of the varnishes after 24 hours of incubation and expressed as percentage of biofilm reduction. Results: EC40 eradicated all strains except E. faecalis ATCC 29212, where 98.78% kill was achieved. CE and CEP showed antimicrobial activity against all the strains, but most clearly against E. durans and E. faecalis 072. EC40 completely inhibited the formation of biofilm of E. faecalis ATCC 29212, E. faecalis 072 and E. durans. CE and CEP led to over 92% of biofilm reduction, except in the case of E. faecalis U-1765 on CEP (76.42%). Conclusion: The three varnishes studied were seen to be effective in killing the tested strains of enterococci and in inhibiting the formation of biofilm, the best results being observed with EC40.

Luteal function and follicular growth following follicular aspiration during the peri-luteolysis period in bos indicus and crossbred cattle

Follicular estradiol triggers luteolysis in cattle. Therefore, the control of follicle growth and steroidogenesis is expected to modulate luteal function and might be used as an anti-luteolytic strategy to improve embryo survival. Objectives were to evaluate follicular dynamics, plasma concentrations of estradiol and luteal lifespan in Bos indicus and crossbred cows subjected to sequential follicular aspirations. From D13 to D25 of a synchronized cycle (ovulation = D1), Nelore or crossbred, non-pregnant and non-lactating cows were submitted to daily ultrasound-guided aspiration of follicles >6 mm (n = 10) or to sham aspirations (n = 8). Diameter of the largest follicle on the day of luteolysis (7.4 +/- 1.0 vs 9.7 +/- 1.0 mm; mean +/- SEM), number of days in which follicles >6 mm were present (2.3 +/- 0.4 vs 4.6 +/- 0.5 days) and daily mean diameter of the largest follicle between D15 and D19 (6.4 +/- 0.2 vs 8.5 +/- 0.3 mm) were smaller (p <0.01) in the aspirated group compared with the control group, respectively. Aspiration tended to reduce (p< 0.10) plasma estradiol concentrations between D18 and D20 (2.95 +/- 0.54 vs 4.30 +/- 0.55 pg/ml). The luteal lifespan was similar (p > 0.10) between the groups (19.6 +/- 0.4 days), whereas the oestrous cycle was longer (p <0.01) in the aspirated group (31.4 +/- 1.2 vs 21.2 +/- 1.3 days). Hyperechogenic structures were present at the sites of aspiration and were associated with increase in concentration of progesterone between luteolysis and oestrus. It is concluded that follicular aspiration extended the oestrous cycle and decreased the average follicular diameter on the peri-luteolysis period but failed to delay luteolysis.

The inactive form of glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta is associated with the development of carcinomas in galectin-3 wild-type mice, but not in galectin-3-deficient mice

Galectin-3 has been implicated in the tumor development via its mediation of the Wnt signaling pathway. Likewise, glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK3 beta) also plays a role in the Wnt signaling pathway by controlling the levels of cytoplasmic beta-catenin. Altered GSK3 beta expression has been described in various tumors, but to date, there are no studies evaluating its expression in models of oral carcinogenesis. Additionally, it is unknown whether the absence of galectin-3 regulates the expression of GSK3 beta. To this end, Gal3-deficient (Gal3(-/-)) and wild-type (Gal3(+/+)) male mice were treated with 4NQO for 16 weeks and sacrificed at week 16 and 32. The tongues were removed, processed, and stained with H&E to detect dysplasias and carcinomas. An immunohistochemical assay was performed to determine the level of P-GSK3 beta-Ser9 expression in both groups. Carcinomas were more prevalent in Gal3(+/+) than Gal3(-/-) mice (55.5% vs. 28.5%), but no statistical difference was reached. In the dysplasias, the proportion of cells positive for P-GSK3 beta-Ser9 was slightly higher in Gal3(+/+) than Gal3(-/-) mice (63% vs. 61%). In the carcinomas, a significant difference between Gal3(+/+) and Gal3(-/-) mice was found (74% vs. 59%; p=0.02). P-GSK3 beta-Ser9-positive cells slightly decreased from the progression of dysplasias to carcinomas in Gal3(-/-) mice (61% vs. 59%; p>0.05). However, a significant increase in P-GSK3 beta-Ser9 expression was observed from dysplasias to carcinomas in Gal3(+/+) mice (63% vs. 74%; p=0.01). In conclusion, these findings suggest that fully malignant transformation of the tongue epithelium is associated with increased P-GSK3 beta-Ser9 expression in Gal3(+/+) mice, but not in Gal3(-/-) mice.

An in vitro study showing the three-dimensional microenvironment influence over the behavior of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Objectives: The Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) ranks sixth worldwide. The mechanisms of growth, invasion and metastasis of this pathology are extensively studied and generally related to specific variations in signaling pathways like the PI3K-Akt; however most of these competent studies have been performed bidimensionally, which may hide important questions. This study sought to analyze the influence of the microenvironment upon the behavior of HNSCC. Study Design: The status of pAkt, NF-kappa B and Cyclin D1 proteins was accessed through immunofluorescence and western blot methods in HNSCC cell lines originating from tongue, pharynx and metastatic lymph node when submitted to a three-dimensional culture model utilizing a matrix system. A bidimensional culture model (monolayer) was used as control. Results: The HNSCC cell lines cultured three-dimensionally exhibited a growth pattern characterized by small isolated islands, different from the control group. When the three-dimensional model was applied, two of the studied cell lines showed the same expression pattern as the bidimensional model regarding nuclear or cytoplasmatic localization, as well as reduction of all protein levels; however, the cell line originated from tongue, which specially has the epidermal growth factor receptor constitutively activated, demonstrated nuclear translocation of pAkt and also an increase in the levels of Cyclin D1. Conclusions: The results suggest the influence of the microenvironment upon the behavior of HNSCC cells due to the changed expression of proteins related to tumor growth and cellular invasion. Furthermore, intrinsically genetic conditions also played important roles over the cells, despite the culture model employed.

ORAOV1 is amplified in oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Oral cancer overexpressed 1 (ORAOV1) was found as a candidate oncogene in the 11q13 chromosomal region, based on its amplification and overexpression in oral cancer cell lines. Because gene amplification often leads to increased levels of gene expression, we aimed to verify the relationship between ORAOV1 gene status and mRNA expression primarily in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) by quantitative assay, correlating with clinical and pathological characteristics in patients. METHODS: Levels of ORAOV1 amplification and expression were evaluated by qPCR and RT-qPCR in OSCC cell lines and in tumor and non-tumoral surgical margins from 33 patients with OSCC. All subjects were smokers and habitual alcohol drinkers, mostly men above 40 years of age and with a single primary tumor. RESULTS: ORAOV1 exhibited increased gene expression levels as well as higher copy number in three OSCC cell lines with 11q13 amplified chromosomal region when compared with the OSCC cell line without the amplification (one-way ANOVA, P < 0.05). Weak correlation between ORAOV1 mRNA levels and DNA copy number was seen in tumor samples (Spearman, P = 0.07). Although ORAOV1 was amplified in tumor (Wilcoxon, P < 0.01), high levels of transcripts in margin did not reveal differences in comparison with tumor (Wilcoxon, P = 0.85). Aggressiveness and survival rate did not demonstrate statistical difference for both events in OSCC. CONCLUSION: The overexpression of ORAOV1 in non-tumoral margin samples can occur in the absence of amplification. The weak correlation between ORAOV1 amplification and expression in OSSC suggests that ORAOV1 expression can be regulated by mechanisms other than gene amplification. J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41: 5460

Effects of eating disorders on oral fungal diversity

Background. The eating disorders anorexia and bulimia nervosa can cause several systemic and oral alterations related to poor nutrition and induced vomiting; however, the oral microflora of these patients is poorly studied. Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate fungal microflora in the oral cavity of these patients by culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. Study Design. Oral rinse samples were cultured to assess the prevalence of Candida species, and the isolates were identified by API system. Microorganism counts were compared by the Mann-Whitney test (5%). Ribotyping, a type of molecular analysis, was performed by sequencing the D1/D2 regions of 28S rRNA. Results. Our results demonstrated that the eating disorder group showed higher oral Candida spp. prevalence with culture-dependent methods and higher species diversity with culture-independent methods. Conclusions. Eating disorders can lead to an increased oral Candida carriage. Culture-independent identification found greater fungal diversity than culture-dependent methods. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2012;113:512-517)

Motor function measure scale, steroid therapy and patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Objective: To assess the evolution of motor function in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) treated with steroids (prednisolone or deflazacort) through the Motor Function Measure (MFM), which evaluates three dimensions of motor performance (D1, D2, D3). Methods: Thirty-three patients with DMD (22 ambulant, 6 non-ambulant and 5 who lost the capacity to walk during the period of the study) were assessed using the MFM scale six times over a period of 18 months. Results: All the motor functions remained stable for 14 months in all patients, except D1 for those who lost their walking ability. In ambulant patients, D2 (axial and proximal motor capacities) motor functions improved during six months; an improvement in D3 (distal motor capacity) was noted during the total follow-up. D1 (standing posture and transfers) and total score were useful to predict the loss of the ability to walk. Conclusions: The use of the MFM in DMD patients confirms the benefits of the steroid treatment for slowing the progression of the disease.

Performance of fluorescence-based and conventional methods of occlusal caries detection in primary molars - an in vitro study

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2012; 22: 459466 Aim. This in vitro study aimed to test the performance of fluorescence-based methods in detecting occlusal caries lesions in primary molars compared to conventional methods. Design. Two examiners assessed 113 sites on 77 occlusal surfaces of primary molars using three fluorescence devices: DIAGNOdent (LF), DIAGNOdent pen (LFpen), and fluorescence camera (VistaProof-FC). Visual inspection (ICDAS) and radiographic methods were also evaluated. One examiner repeated the evaluations after one month. As reference standard method, the lesion depth was determined after sectioning and evaluation in stereomicroscope. The area under the ROC curve (Az), sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the methods were calculated at enamel (D1) and dentine caries (D3) lesions thresholds. The intra and interexaminer reproducibility were calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and kappa statistics. Results. At D1, visual inspection presented higher sensitivities (0.970.99) but lower specificities (0.180.25). At D3, all the methods demonstrated similar performance (Az values around 0.90). Visual and radiographic methods showed a slightly higher specificity (values higher than 0.96) than the fluorescence based ones (values around 0.88). In general, all methods presented high reproducibility (ICC higher than 0.79). Conclusions. Although fluorescence-based and conventional methods present similar performance in detecting occlusal caries lesions in primary teeth, visual inspection alone seems to be sufficient to be used in clinical practice.

Identification of protein expression signatures in gastric carcinomas using clustering analysis

Background and Aim: The identification of gastric carcinomas (GC) has traditionally been based on histomorphology. Recently, DNA microarrays have successfully been used to identify tumors through clustering of the expression profiles. Random forest clustering is widely used for tissue microarrays and other immunohistochemical data, because it handles highly-skewed tumor marker expressions well, and weighs the contribution of each marker according to its relatedness with other tumor markers. In the present study, we e identified biologically- and clinically-meaningful groups of GC by hierarchical clustering analysis of immunohistochemical protein expression. Methods: We selected 28 proteins (p16, p27, p21, cyclin D1, cyclin A, cyclin B1, pRb, p53, c-met, c-erbB-2, vascular endothelial growth factor, transforming growth factor [TGF]-beta I, TGF-beta II, MutS homolog-2, bcl-2, bax, bak, bcl-x, adenomatous polyposis coli, clathrin, E-cadherin, beta-catenin, mucin (MUC) 1, MUC2, MUC5AC, MUC6, matrix metalloproteinase [ MMP]-2, and MMP-9) to be investigated by immunohistochemistry in 482 GC. The analyses of the data were done using a random forest-clustering method. Results: Proteins related to cell cycle, growth factor, cell motility, cell adhesion, apoptosis, and matrix remodeling were highly expressed in GC. We identified protein expressions associated with poor survival in diffuse-type GC. Conclusions: Based on the expression analysis of 28 proteins, we identified two groups of GC that could not be explained by any clinicopathological variables, and a subgroup of long-surviving diffuse-type GC patients with a distinct molecular profile. These results provide not only a new molecular basis for understanding the biological properties of GC, but also better prediction of survival than the classic pathological grouping.