Neuronal cell bodies in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus mediate stress-induced renin and corticosterone secretion

The present studies were undertaken to determine the involvement of neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in stress-induced renin secretion. The stressor was a 10-min conditioned emotional response (CER) paradigm. Bilateral electrolytic lesions in the PVN prevented the stress-induced increase in plasma renin activity (PRA), and plasma renin concentration (PRC). Stress-induced corticosterone secretion was also blocked, supporting the histological verification and suggesting that the lesion included corticosterone-releasing factor neurons in the PVN. Stress-induced renin secretion appears to be restricted to the PVN, as electrolytic lesions in the nucleus reuniens, dorsal and caudal to the PVN, did not prevent the stress-induced increase in either PRA or PRC. The next step was to determine whether cell bodies in the PVN or fibers of passage through the PVN mediate the stress-induced increase of these hormones. For this purpose, bilateral stereotaxic injections of the cell-selective neurotoxin ibotenic acid (10 micrograms/microliter; 0.3 microliters per side) were performed 14 days prior to the stress procedure. Histological evaluation of the tissue revealed cell death and lysis in the PVN. Ibotenic acid injection into the PVN prevented the effect of stress on PRA, PRC and corticosterone levels. None of the lesions prevented the stress-induced rise in plasma prolactin concentration. These results suggest that neurons in the PVN play an important role in mediating stress-induced increases in renin and corticosterone but not prolactin secretion.     

Rate-sensitive glucocorticoid feedback inhibition of adrenocorticotropin and beta-endorphin/beta-lipotropin secretion in rats

In the present study, we present physiological evidence for rate-sensitive, fast feedback inhibition of secretion of ACTH and beta-endorphin (beta END)-related peptides. We used a 2 min restraint stress to physiologically increase plasma corticosterone, then examined the plasma responses of immunoreactive ACTH and beta END plus beta-lipotropin (beta END/beta LPH) to a subsequent restraint stress. After onset of this stress, plasma corticosterone increased from 2.5-10 min at a rate of 120 nM min-1, then remained at a peak from 10-15 min. A single 2 min restraint stress produced peak plasma levels of ACTH and beta END/beta LPH 2.5 min after onset of the stress, and these plasma concentrations declined after this initial stress at rates of 2.7 and 7.4 pM min-1, respectively. Application of a second restraint stress at the time of the peak corticosterone response produced plasma ACTH and beta END/beta LPH responses similar to those after the first stress. Application of a second stress during the period of significant rate-rise of corticosterone in plasma did not result in decreased incremental responses of plasma ACTH or beta END/beta LPH. However, the rates of decline of plasma ACTH and beta END/beta LPH of 7.6 and 32 pM min-1, respectively, from peak levels, were significantly greater after this second stress applied during the period of significant increase in plasma corticosterone concentration than the corresponding rates of decline observed after the initial stress or after a subsequent stress applied at the peak of plasma corticosterone. These differences in rates of decline of plasma ACTH or beta END/beta LPH appear to reflect differences in secretion rate rather than clearance, since disappearance of [125I]ACTH1-24 was not different after an initial vs. subsequent stress. In contrast to these data from intact rats, initial and subsequent stresses did not show different rates of decline of plasma ACTH or beta END/beta LPH in adrenalectomized rats. In conclusion, the stress-induced rate rise of glucocorticoid provides a negative feedback signal which serves to terminate and limit the duration, but not the peak, of the responses of POMC-derived peptides to subsequent stress.     

Changes in sexual behavior during a safety and feasibility trial of a microbicide/diaphragm combination: an integrated qualitative and quantitative analysis.

If proven effective, vaginal microbicides and diaphragms will likely be part of a larger HIV prevention model that includes condoms and other prevention strategies. It is, therefore, important to understand how introducing new prevention methods may affect overall patterns of sexual risk behavior. Data presented were collected as part of a safety and feasibility study of ACIDFORM gel with a diaphragm among 120 women in South Africa. Interviews were administered at enrollment and months 1, 3, 5, and 6 of the trial. Focus groups were conducted at trial exit. Frequency of sex increased significantly after enrollment. This increase appears to be owing to perceived protection from HIV and greater sexual pleasure afforded by the gel. Male condom use was high overall but increased significantly from enrollment. Data suggest this is because of increased partner involvement, increased negotiating power afforded by study participation, and provision of free condoms perceived to be of high quality.     

Microbiological aspects of heat sterilization of drugs

International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy - In order to calculate the minimum sterilization process conditions to obtain the generally accepted sterility level (less than 1·10?6...     

Effects of intracerebral estradiol on the dorsal immobility response in the rat

The effects of intracerebral implants of 17 beta estradiol and cholesterol in five brain regions were tested on the duration of the dorsal immobility response in ovariectomized female rats. The dorsal immobility response was significantly prolonged by 4-hr implants of 17 beta estradiol in the dorsal striatum and nucleus accumbens, but not in the cortex, the globus pallidus, or the substantia nigra pars compacta. These data further support previous evidence that estradiol acts directly on the striatum to affect behavior in the rat.     

Which constructs can predict emotional exhaustion in a working population? A study into its determinants

The main objective of this study was to examine the psychosocial stress model developed by Taylor and Aspinwall with emotional exhaustion as the outcome variable. Respondents, 409 men and 346 women, who had a paid job for at least 20 hours per week, completed questionnaires concerning demographic variables, personality, temperament, work pressure, workload, perceived social support, appraisal, coping, and emotional exhaustion. Structural equation analyses provided only partial support for the validity of the model. First, on theoretical and statistical grounds, one more path linking external resources to social support was added. Second, contrary to expectations, coping styles did not predict emotional exhaustion. To conclude, when coping is measured retrospectively, it does not add to our understanding of emotional exhaustion. It is suggested that future studies should be longitudinal and include objective measures of stressors and psychosocial health outcomes in addition to self‐reports. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Closure of the cribriform fascia: an efficient anatomical barrier against postoperative neovascularisation at the saphenofemoral junction? A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Neovascularisation at the sapheno-femoral junction (SFJ) ligation site in the groin may occur within one year after great saphenous vein (GSV) surgery. Several anatomical and prosthetic barrier techniques have been proposed to prevent this evolution. OBJECTIVE: A prospective study examined whether closing the cribriform fascia could reduce the incidence of postoperative neovascularisation in the groin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with primary varicose veins and incompetence at the level of the SFJ were included. After SFJ ligation in 235 limbs of 193 patients an anatomical barrier was constructed by closing the cribriform fascia. Postoperative duplex scanning was performed after 2 and 12 months. Results were compared with historical control groups in which either a silicone patch saphenoplasty or no barrier technique had been performed. RESULTS: After one year, 10 limbs had developed recurrent thigh varicose veins and duplex scan showed neovascularisation at the SFJ ligation site in 15 of 223 re-examined limbs (6.7%). This was comparable to the group of 191 limbs with silicone patch saphenoplasty (5.2%) (P=0.526) and superior to the group of 189 limbs without barrier (14.8%) (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Interposition of an anatomical barrier by closing the cribriform fascia after SFJ ligation reduced ultrasound detected neovascularisation at the SFJ after one year. In primary varicose vein operations application of an anatomical barrier technique (without prosthetic patch) is an alternative option to prevent postoperative neovascularisation.     

Transgenic mice expressing constitutive active MAPKAPK5 display gender-dependent differences in exploration and activity

Background  

The mitogen-activated protein kinases, MAPKs for short, constitute cascades of signalling pathways involved in the regulation of several cellular processes that include cell proliferation, differentiation and motility. They also intervene in neurological processes like fear conditioning and memory. Since little remains known about the MAPK-Activated Protein Kinase, MAPKAPK5, we constructed the first MAPKAPK knockin mouse model, using a constitutive active variant of MAPKAPK5 and analyzed the resulting mice for changes in anxiety-related behaviour.