Prenatal LPS exposure reduces olfactory perception in neonatal and adult rats

Prenatal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure causes reproductive, behavioral and neurochemical defects in both dams and pups. The present study evaluated male rats prenatally treated with LPS for behavioral and neurological effects related to the olfactory system, which is the main sensorial path in rodents. Pregnant Wistar rats received 100 mu g/kg of LPS intraperitoneally (i.p.) on gestational day (GD) 9.5, and maternal behavior was evaluated. Pups were evaluated for (1) maternal odor preference, (2) aversion to cat odor, (3) monoamine levels and turnover in the olfactory bulb (OB) and (4) protein expression (via immunoblotting) within the OB dopaminergic system and glial cells. Results showed that prenatal LPS exposure impaired maternal preference and cat odor aversion and decreased dopamine (DA) levels in the OB. This dopaminergic impairment may have been due to defects in another brain area given that protein expression of the first enzyme in the DA biosynthetic pathway was unchanged in the OB. Moreover, there was no change in the protein expression of the DA receptors. The fact that the number of astrocytes and microglia was not increased suggests that prenatal LPS did not induce neuroinflammation in the OB. Furthermore, given that maternal care was not impaired, abnormalities in the offspring were not the result of reduced maternal care. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Neonatal Clinical Evaluation, Blood Gas and Radiographic Assessment After Normal Birth, Vaginal Dystocia or Caesarean Section in Dogs

This study aimed to standardize signs and diagnostic criteria of respiratory function in newborn puppies delivered normally or after dystocia and caesarean operation. A total of 48 neonates were allocated into groups: eutocia (n = 20), dystocia (n = 8), caesarean (c)-section (n = 20). Neonatal health was assessed using the Apgar score and body temperature was determined at 0, 5 and 60 min after delivery. Venous blood gases (pO(2) and SO(2)) was measured immediately and 60 min after delivery, and a thoracic radiograph was made between 0 and 5 min of life. The c-section group had significantly lower Apgar scores at birth and 5 min. Hypothermia was present at 5 min in the eutocia and c-section groups, and at 60 min in all groups. The eutocia group had an irregular respiratory pattern in 78% of puppies at birth, 27.7% at 5 min and 21% at 60 min compared with 87.5%, 62.5% and 12.5% of the pups in the dystocia group where there was irregular respiratory rhythm, moderate to intense respiratory sounds with agonic episodes. The c-section group had respiratory alterations in 70%, 45% and 16% of puppies at 0, 5 and 60 min, respectively. Radiographic abnormalities were present in 17% of the pups in the eutocia group, 25% of the pups in the dystocia group and 30% of the pups in the c-section group, respectively. The c-section group had significantly lower SO(2) values at 60 min than at birth. All puppies had hypoxaemia, but a significant decrease was observed in the c-section group. Newborn puppies had tissue hypoxia and irregular respiratory pattern at birth. Caesarean-section puppies had lower vitality; however, all developed satisfactory Apgar scores at 5 min of life, regardless of the obstetric condition.

Outcomes and indicators, measurement tools, and databases for the National Action Plan for Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention for Mental Health 2000

This publication is a support and resource document for the "National Action Plan for Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention for Mental Health 2000". It includes indicators, measurement tools and databases relevant to assessing the implementation of the outcomes and strategies identified in the action plan.

Occlusal outcomes and efficiency of 1-and 2-phase protocols in the treatment of Class II Division 1 malocclusion

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare the occlusal outcomes and the efficiency of 1-phase and 2-phase treatment protocols in Class II Division 1 malocclusions. Treatment efficiency was defined as a change in the occlusal characteristics in a shorter treatment time. Methods: Class II Division 1 subjects ( n = 139) were divided into 2 groups according to the treatment protocol for Class II correction. Group 1 comprised 78 patients treated with a 1-phase treatment protocol at initial and final mean ages of 12.51 and 14.68 years. Group 2 comprised 61 patients treated with a 2-phase treatment protocol at initial and final mean ages of 11.21 and 14.70 years. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken at the pretreatment stage to evaluate morphological differences in the groups. The initial and final study models of the patients were evaluated by using the peer assessment rating index. Chi-square tests were used to test for differences between the 2 groups for categorical variables. Variables regarding occlusal results were compared by using independent t tests. A linear regression analysis was completed, with total treatment time as the dependent variable, to identify clinical factors that predict treatment length for patients with Class II malocclusions. Results: Similar occlusal outcomes were obtained between the 1-phase and the 2-phase treatment protocols, but the duration of treatment was significantly shorter in the 1-phase treatment protocol group. Conclusions: Treatment of Class II Division 1 malocclusions is more efficient with the 1-phase than the 2-phase treatment protocol.