Acute and chronic ethanol does not affect incisional pain in neonatal rats

We have previously found that in post-natal day 7 rats withdrawal from acute and chronic ethanol (EtOH) exposure lowers mechanical thresholds during withdrawal and exacerbates spontaneous pain responses to an inflammatory injury 4 days post-withdrawal. These findings suggested alterations in somatosensory pathways following EtOH exposure during the third trimester developmental equivalent. In this study we wanted to determine whether EtOH exposure during the third trimester equivalent exacerbates mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia produced by an incisional model of post-operative pain at post-natal day 21. The extent and duration of mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia following incision was measured and found to be unaffected by prior EtOH exposure.     

Ultimate tensile strength of dentin: Evidence for a damage mechanics approach to dentin failure

Dentin structure and properties are known to vary with orientation and location. The present study explored the variation in the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of dentin with location in the tooth. Hourglass specimens were prepared from dentin located in the center, under cusps, and in the cervical regions of human molar teeth. These were tested in tension at various distances from the pulp. Median tensile strengths ranged from 44.4 MPa in the inner dentin near the pulp, to 97.8 MPa near the dentino-enamel junction (DEJ). This increase in the median UTS with distance from the pulp to the DEJ was statistically significant (P <.001). Of particular importance was the observation that the UTS measurements followed a Weibull probability distribution, with a Weibull modulus of about 4.5. The Weibull behavior of the UTS data strongly suggests that the large variances in fracture strength data result from a distribution of preexisting defects in the dentin. These findings justify a damage-mechanics approach to studies of dentin failure.     

Vitamin A deficiency and the acute phase response among HIV-1-infected and -uninfected women in Kenya

Among HIV-1-infected individuals, vitamin A deficiency has been associated with faster disease progression and greater infectivity in observational studies, but randomized clinical trials have shown no effect of vitamin A supplementation. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 400 HIV-1-infected and 200 HIV-1-uninfected women in Mombasa, Kenya to examine the relations between vitamin A deficiency (serum retinol <30 microg/dL) and HIV-1 status, HIV-1 disease stage, and the acute phase response (serum C-reactive protein >or=10 mg/L and/or alpha1-acid glycoprotein >or=1.2 g/L). Among the HIV-1-infected women, the effect of vitamin A supplementation was examined in a randomized trial. Vitamin A deficiency was independently associated with HIV-1 infection (OR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.9-4.0) and the acute phase response (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.9-4.1). Among HIV-1-infected women, vitamin A deficiency and the acute phase response were associated with each other and were both independently associated with higher HIV-1 plasma viral load and lower CD4 count. HIV-1-infected women having an acute phase response had no increase in serum vitamin A levels after supplementation. Serum levels increased significantly among women without an acute phase response, although not to normal levels among women who were deficient at baseline. Among HIV-1-infected individuals, it is likely that low serum vitamin A concentrations reflect more active infection and the acute phase response. These results provide possible explanations for the disparity between observational studies and randomized trials of vitamin A for HIV-1 infection.     

Method for primary culture of purified leydig cells isolated from adult rat testes

Summary Preparations of 75–80% pure Leydig cells are prepared by Percoll gradient centrifugation of crude testicular interstitial cell suspensions. Using the methods described herein, the purified Leydig cells retain their functional characteristics for at least 72 hours in primary culture.     

The effect of haemorrhage on haemoglobin concentration, blood volume and arterial pressure in kittens and cats

1. The arterial haemoglobin concentration in kittens less than 24 hr old was inversely related to body weight. There was about twice as much haemoglobin/unit body weight at birth as in adult cats. Haemoglobin concentrations were minimal at 3-6 weeks of age.2. In animals lightly anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone, arterial pressure rose from 52 mm Hg at birth in kittens to 133 mm Hg in adult cats. Blood volume decreased from 73 ml./kg at birth to 60 ml./kg in adults.3. When kittens less than a fortnight old were subjected to stepwise blood letting, arterial pressure fell proportionately with blood volume; in older kittens and in cats, arterial pressure was less well maintained at similar proportionate reductions of blood volume than in young kittens.4. The responses to haemorrhage of kittens and cats were compared with those of rabbits similarly treated and with those of adult cats anaesthetized with urethane and chloralose reported in the literature.     

Postnatal growth of lung parenchyma in the piglet: Morphometry correlated with mechanics

Background: A previous study of piglet lung growth (Mansell et. al. 1989. J. Appl. Physiol., 67:1422–1427) showed transient stiffness to changes in shape and volume immediately after birth. Later, elastic recoil was found to increase as the lung grew in weight and volume. The present study uses morphometry to test possible structural correlates of these two mechanical changes. Methods: Piglet lungs were fixed near full inflation via the airways during the immediate newborn period (6–12 hours, n=3), at 3–5 days (n=6), 25–30 days (n=5), and 80–85 days (n=3). Morphometry comprised arithmetic and harmonic mean thicknesses of alveolar septae and average mean surface curvature. Measurements of curvature and airspace volume were combined to differentiate alveolar expansion from septal proliferation as mechanisms for volumetric growth. Results: The unique mechanical behavior of the newborn lungs was associated with relatively thick alveolar septae. Marked thinning of the septae and resolution of the stiffness to shape and volume change had occurred by 3–5 days. An increase in elastic recoil during the first postnatal month was found to be associated with simple airspace expansion. The second and third months were characterized by septal proliferation and increase in arithmetic mean septal thickness but elastic recoil did not increase further. Harmonic mean septal thickness and airspace volume per gram of lung tissue did not change over the course of the study. Conclusions: 1) A relative stiffness to shape and volume change in freshly newborn piglet lung is associated with relatively thick alveolar septal walls; 2) postnatal development of piglet lung parenchyma involves septal lengthening and thinning followed by septal proliferation; 3) the initial phase of septal lengthening, rather than the later phase of septal proliferation, is associated with increase in parenchymal recoil. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Reactions of Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae) to parasitism by Aphaereta pallipes (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), with special reference to host diet and parasitoid toxin

Summary Varying host reaction of the house fly, Musca domestica L., to parasitism by the braconid Aphaereta pallipes (Say) was chiefly correlated with the diet of the host. Some evidence was found that implicated the strain of the host, the rearing temperatures, the ages of the parasitoid and the host, and the site of oviposition. Though development of A. pallipes embryos was inhibited before they became encapsulated with melanin within the host, the presence of the parasitoid and (or) the effect of its paralyzing toxin that was injected into the host just before oviposition prevented normal larval, pupal, or adult development of the six house fly strains tested. A considerable increase of parasitoid survival occurred when M. domestica larvae were reared on a chemically defined diet.

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Zusammenfassung Musca domestica L. reagierte unterschiedlich auf die Parasitierung durch die Braconide Aphaereta pallipes (Say). Die verschiedenen Reaktionen waren im wesentlichen mit der Art der Wirtsnahrung korreliert. Daneben finden sich Hinweise, daß auch der Wirtsstamm, dessen Zuchttemperatur, das Alter von Parasit und Wirt und der Eiablageort des Parasiten die Reaktionen beeinflussen. Obgleich die Entwicklung von Parasitenembryonen bereits gehemmt war, ehe sie innerhalb des Wirtes von Melanin eingeschlossen wurden, so verhinderten doch die Parasiten-embryonen und/oder die Wirkung der vor der Eiablage abgegebenen Paralysierungstoxine die normale Entwicklung der Wirte aus sechs Fliegenstämmen. Eine beträchtliche Steigerung der Überlebensrate der Parasiten trat ein, wenn M. domestica-Larven in einem Gemisch chemisch genau definierter Nahrung gezogen wurden.

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With 8 Figures in the Text

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Formerly National Research Council Postdoctorate Fellow, Research Institute, Belleville, Ontario.     

Effects of antidepressants on the uptake and release of norepinephrine from rat cerebral cortex

The effects of several antidepressants on the release of (³H)-norepinephrine (NE) from homogenates of rat cerebral cortex were studied. A continuous superfusion collection system was used in order to differentiate these effects from effects on reuptake. Amitriptyline, maprotiline, mianserin, and trazodone produced a statistically significant decrease in spontaneous tritium efflux when present in the superfusion medium at a concentration of 1.0 M. The other antidepressants studied had no effect. We used a buffer with the K⁺ concentration raised to 56 mM as a model of depolarization-induced release. Desipramine, fluoxetine, and iprindole (again at 1.0 M) caused a significant decrease in this measure. These results indicate that some of both the tricyclic and atypical antidepressants may alter spontaneous or depolarization-induced release of NE.This work was supported in part by a grant from the Pharmaceutical Manufactures Association Foundation-Medical Student Research Fellowship     

Human Diversity of Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-Like Receptors and Human Leukocyte Antigen Class I Alleles and Ebola Virus Disease Outcomes

We investigated the genetic profiles of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) in Ebola virus–infected patients. We studied the relationship between KIR–human leukocyte antigen (HLA) combinations and the clinical outcomes of patients with Ebola virus disease (EVD). We genotyped KIRs and HLA class I alleles using DNA from uninfected controls, EVD survivors, and persons who died of EVD. The activating 2DS4–003 and inhibitory 2DL5 genes were significantly more common among persons who died of EVD; 2DL2 was more common among survivors. We used logistic regression analysis and Bayesian modeling to identify 2DL2, 2DL5, 2DS4–003, HLA-B-Bw4-Thr, and HLA-B-Bw4-Ile as probably having a significant relationship with disease outcome. Our findings highlight the importance of innate immune response against Ebola virus and show the association between KIRs and the clinical outcome of EVD.     

The Health Status of Hispanic Agricultural Workers in Georgia and Florida

To examine the health status of Hispanic agricultural workers in Florida and Georgia. Health data from agricultural workers in the Farm Worker Family Health Program (June 2019) and research studies in Florida (May 2015 and May 2019) were examined. Data from 728 agricultural workers were collected through sociodemographic questionnaire and clinical data. In the Florida sample, 83% were overweight or obese, 70% elevated blood pressure, 60% met the definition of prediabetes. In Georgia, 64% were overweight or obese and 67% had elevated blood pressure. Weak correlations were observed between BMI and systolic blood pressure (unadjusted r?=?0.20), diastolic blood pressure (unadjusted r?=?0.19), and glucose (unadjusted r?=?0.14). Adjusting for age and gender did not show statistically significant correlation between BMI and systolic and diastolic blood pressure or glucose. While BMI has been shown to be strongly associated with high blood pressure and impaired glucose, we found a weak correlation among agricultural workers. Given the common and high use of pesticides and elevated rates of hypertension, impaired glucose, and adiposity in agricultural workers, the public health impact of this relationship may require and lead to occupational reform that protects the health of agricultural workers. Future studies should assess occupational and environmental factors and lifestyle differences between agricultural workers and the general population to better understand these discrepancies in health status.