Emotional reactivity and cognitive performance in aversively motivated tasks: a comparison between four rat strains

Background

Cognitive function might be affected by the subjects' emotional reactivity. We assessed whether behavior in different tests of emotional reactivity is correlated with performance in aversively motivated learning tasks, using four strains of rats generally considered to have a different emotional reactivity.

Methods

The performance of male Brown Norway, Lewis, Fischer 344, and Wistar Kyoto rats in open field (OF), elevated plus-maze (EPM), and circular light-dark preference box (cLDB) tasks, which are believed to provide measures of emotional reactivity, was evaluated. Spatial working and reference memory were assessed in two aversively motivated learning and memory tasks: the standard and the "repeated acquisition" versions of the Morris water maze escape task, respectively. All rats were also tested in a passive avoidance task. At the end of the study, levels of serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and 5-HT turnover in the hippocampus and frontal cortex were determined.

Results

Strain differences showed a complex pattern across behavioral tests and serotonergic measures. Fischer 344 rats had the poorest performance in both versions of the Morris water escape task, whereas Brown Norway rats performed these tasks very well but the passive avoidance task poorly. Neither correlation analysis nor principal component analysis provided convincing support for the notion that OF, EPM, and cLDB tasks measure the same underlying trait.

Conclusions

Our findings do not support the hypothesis that the level of emotional reactivity modulates cognitive performance in aversively motivated tasks. Concepts such as "emotional reactivity" and "learning and memory" cannot adequately be tapped with only one behavioral test. Our results emphasize the need for multiple testing.     

In vitro comparison of platelet storage in plasma and in four platelet additive solutions,and the effect of pathogen reduction: a proposal for an in vitro rating system

Background The introduction of platelet (PLT) additive solutions (PASs) and pathogen reduction (PR) technologies possibly allow extension of PLT shelf life. It was our aim to compare in vitro quality of leucocyte‐reduced PLT concentrates (PCs) stored in various PASs, including PR, with those in plasma during 8 days of storage. The study was performed in four blood centres where each tested four conditions. Study Design and Methods In paired experiments (n = 12), buffy coat pools were made to which various storage media were added. Plasma served as reference; two centres used InterSol followed by PR (InterSol+PR) and InterSol without PR; T‐sol, SSP+ and Composol were also studied. Results All PCs fulfilled release criteria (pH_37°C > 6·6; swirl present) until Day 8. Marked differences were seen for other parameters, including CD62P expression: 28 ± 5; 31 ± 7; and 39 ± 9% for T‐sol, Intersol+PR and without PR, respectively, which were higher as found for Composol (12 ± 3%), SSP+ (15 ± 5%) and plasma (15 ± 6%). Three parameters (CD62P, Annexin A5, and lactate concentration) were collapsed into one rating value (6 = good quality, 0 = poor quality); PLTs in plasma had a rating of 2·8 ± 1·0, which was higher as for T‐Sol (1·5 ± 0·5), InterSol+PR (1·3 ± 0·6) and without PR (1·7 ± 0·5). PLTs in potassium‐ and magnesium‐containing PASs showed higher ratings as plasma, 4·3 ± 0·5 for Composol and 3·8 ± 0·8 for SSP+. Conclusion PLT concentrates in plasma, SSP+ and Composol scored better using an arbitrary rating system as PLTs stored in T‐Sol or InterSol; PR further impaired rating parameters. The applicability of these differences in rating for clinical effects needs a clinical study.     

Providing monovalent oral polio vaccine type 1 to newborns: findings from a pilot birth-dose project in Moradabad district, India

Problem

Poliovirus transmission remained a public health challenge in western Uttar Pradesh, India in late 2005 and early 2006. In 2006, the India Expert Advisory Group for Polio Eradication concluded that, given the peak incidence of polio among children 6 to 12 months of age, a targeted birth dose of oral polio vaccine may be necessary to interrupt intense poliovirus transmission in high risk areas.

Approach

The Government of Uttar Pradesh, the National Polio Surveillance Project and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) implemented a pilot birth-dose project aimed at identifying and vaccinating all newborns with a dose of oral polio vaccine within 72 hours of birth in an effort to evaluate operational feasibility and potential impact on population immunity.

Local setting

The project was piloted in Moradabad district: zone 7 in Moradabad City (urban setting), Kunderki block (rural setting) and in select birthing hospitals.

Relevant changes

Between July 2006 and February 2007, 9740 newborns were identified, of which 6369 (65%) were vaccinated by project personnel within 72 hours of birth. Project coverage (for total newborns vaccinated) ranged from 39% (in zone 7) to 76% (in Kunderki block) of the estimated number of newborns vaccinated during previous supplemental immunization activities.

Lessons learned

Birth-dose coverage among newborns was lower than expected. Expansion costs were estimated to be high, with marginal impact. The project, however, provided opportunities to strengthen newborn tracking systems which have increased the number of newborns and young infants vaccinated during supplemental immunization activities and enrolled in routine programmes.     

Production of CFTR-null and CFTR-DeltaF508 heterozygous pigs by adeno-associated virus-mediated gene targeting and somatic cell nuclear transfer

Progress toward understanding the pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis (CF) and developing effective therapies has been hampered by lack of a relevant animal model. CF mice fail to develop the lung and pancreatic disease that cause most of the morbidity and mortality in patients with CF. Pigs may be better animals than mice in which to model human genetic diseases because their anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, size, and genetics are more similar to those of humans. However, to date, gene-targeted mammalian models of human genetic disease have not been reported for any species other than mice. Here we describe the first steps toward the generation of a pig model of CF. We used recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors to deliver genetic constructs targeting the CF transmembrane conductance receptor (CFTR) gene to pig fetal fibroblasts. We generated cells with the CFTR gene either disrupted or containing the most common CF-associated mutation (DeltaF508). These cells were used as nuclear donors for somatic cell nuclear transfer to porcine oocytes. We thereby generated heterozygote male piglets with each mutation. These pigs should be of value in producing new models of CF. In addition, because gene-modified mice often fail to replicate human diseases, this approach could be used to generate models of other human genetic diseases in species other than mice.     

Potential and limitation of UVC irradiation for the inactivation of pathogens in platelet concentrates

BACKGROUND: Pathogen contamination, causing transfusion-transmitted diseases, is an ongoing concern in transfusion of cellular blood products. In this explorative study, the pathogen-inactivating capacity of UVC irradiation in platelet (PLT) concentrates was investigated. The dose dependencies of inactivation of several viruses and bacteria were compared with the effect on PLT quality. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The potential of UVC irradiation was studied with a range of lipid-enveloped (LE) and non-lipid-enveloped viruses (NLE) and bacteria. LE viruses were bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), pseudorabies virus (PRV), transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). NLE viruses were canine parvovirus (CPV) and simian virus 40 (SV40). Bacteria were Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus cereus. After spiking and irradiation, samples were tested for residual infectivity and reduction factors (RFs) were calculated. Furthermore, the effect of UVC irradiation on PLT quality was determined by measuring in vitro quality variables. RESULTS: A UVC dose of 500 J per m(2) resulted in acceptable PLT quality (as measured by pH, lactate production, CD62P expression, and exposure of phosphatidylserine) and high RFs (>4 log) for CPV, TGEV, VSV, S. epidermidis, S. aureus, and E. coli. Intermediate RFs (approx. 3 log) were observed for BVDV, PRV, and B. cereus. Low RFs (approx. 1 log) were found for HIV and SV40. No differences in virus reduction were observed between cell-free and cell-associated virus. CONCLUSION: UVC irradiation is a promising pathogen-reducing technique in PLT concentrates, inactivating bacteria, and a broad range of viruses (with the exception of HIV) under conditions that have limited effects on PLT quality. Further optimization of the UVC procedure, however, is necessary to deal with blood-borne viruses like HIV.     

Resurgence of bedbugs in southern France: a local problem or the tip of the iceberg?

Background Bedbugs (Cimex lectularius) have been feeding on sleeping human beings since prehistory. In Europe, bed bugs were common and endemic until World War II when improved body and home hygiene, and widespread use of insecticides led to almost complete eradication. Current evidence indicates that bedbugs are making a comeback in Europe, USA, Canada and Australia. In our practice in Southern France, we observed several cases within a period of only 1 year. Objectives Based on this experience, we conducted an epidemiological study to evaluate the status of bedbugs in France. Methods During summer 2009, we mailed a short questionnaire to all hospital professors in the CEDEF (Collège des Enseignants de Dermatologie de France) asking four questions: number of suspected diagnosis of bedbugs in the year 2009, and number of certain positive diagnosis, difficulties in treatment, use of a pest control professional for treatment, and finally personal opinion on actual incidence of bedbugs, compared with past years. Results Of the 84 questionnaires sent, there were only 26 responses despite two reminders. The responses were predominantly southern France, probably as a result of intensive immigration and increased travel and trade. Difficulties encountered during diagnosis and treatment are also mentioned. Utilizing the services of entomological experts and pest control professionals is essential. Conclusions France has the same experience regarding the resurgence of bedbugs as several European countries, USA, Canada and Australia, especially the southern regions. This emerging health problem has to be known by dermatologists. A national programme has been launched in France to assess actual incidence and study C. lectularius‐ related diseases.     

Primary headache care delivery by nonspecialists in Brazil

Headaches are common disorders usually examined by nonneurologists. In order to assess how primary headache patients (IHS groups 1, 2, and 3) are generally managed by nonspecialists, 414 patients were asked about their previous headache care. Correct diagnosis had previously been made in only 44.9%, 6.7%, and 26.7% of the migraine, tension-type headache, and cluster headache patients, respectively. The patients underwent 501 investigative procedures motivated by the headache, averaging 1.21 examinations per patient, mostly EEGs. Preventive treatment was largely overlooked irrespective of the headache type. It is concluded that scientific improvements in headache care may be ineffective unless educational programs improve headache knowledge in general.