Learned immobility explains the behavior of rats in the forced swimming test

The rat forced-swimming test (FST) is widely used for screening substances with a potential antidepressant effect. The rat immobility shown in the FST has been interpreted as "behavioral despair" and has been suggested as an animal model of human depression. In the following series of experiments it is shown that measuring rat mobility by an automatic recording device is more accurate than measuring immobility time by direct observation (Experiment 1 and 5). The automatic recording procedure was tested with imipramine and mianserin showing similar results to those reported in the literature using a direct observation procedure by the researcher (Experiment 2). In Experiment 3 it was demonstrated that: (a) rat mobility decreased with experience, (b) switching water depth on Day 2 of the test increased mobility and (c) anisomycin acts as a false positive. In Experiment 4 the possible state dependent effect of imipramine in the FST was studied. The effect of imipramine on rat behavior in the FST is not state dependent. The imipramine-saline group shows greater mobility than the saline-saline group and does not differentiate from the imipramine-imipramine group. Thus, it was suggested that imipramine could interfere with the acquisition and/or consolidation processes. In Experiment 5, it is shown that a single dose of 25 mg/kg of imipramine, administered before or immediately after training on Day 1, increases rat's mobility on Day 2, thus suggesting that imipramine alters the consolidation process. From these results it is suggested that the behavioral process involved in the FST is "learning to be immobile" instead of "behavioral despair" as previously suggested in the literature.     

Molecular diagnosis of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome using quantitative methylation-sensitive polymerase chain reaction.

PURPOSE: Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome is caused by defects in imprinted gene expression at 11p15. Currently, quantitative Southern analysis using DNA methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes is used in molecular diagnosis of this syndrome. METHODS: We describe a rapid and highly quantitative test for assessing DNA methylation at 11p15 using sodium bisulfite treatment of genomic DNA coupled with quantitative TaqMan methylation-sensitive polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: TaqMan MSP can assess DNA methylation at both differentially methylated region (DMR)1 and DMR2 at 11p15. In addition, by using TaqMan MSP we were able to determine the parent of origin of a duplication of 11p15 by quantification of both DMR1 and DMR2 DNA methylation. CONCLUSION: TaqMan MSP method is a robust and rapid method for detecting changes in DNA methylation that compares favorably to the current standard of Southern blot for DNA methylation analysis. Assessment of DMR1 and DMR2 provides the most comprehensive assay for methylation defects in Beckwith Wiedemann Syndrome, accounting for more than 70% of the cases. The advantages of TaqMan MSP are that it requires less DNA and that it is rapid, less labor-intensive, and amenable to high-throughput analysis. Moreover, this approach can be modified to assess DNA methylation changes anywhere in the genome.     

Complete coding region of the new HLA-DQB1*0612 allele, obtained by RT-PCR

A novel HLA-DQB1 allele was detected by oligotyping in the Bubi population of Equatorial Guinea. In order to characterize the new allelic variant, a RT-PCR method which permitted the cloning of its complete coding region was designed. With this method, we have determined the nucleotide sequence of the new DQB1*0612 allele, related to *0604 and *0609 but differing from them at polymorphic codon 70. A proposal for the improvement of the sequencing strategies of HLA class II alleles is made.     

Complementary DNA sequence of the HLA‐B*3924 allele1

We have isolated the complete coding region of HLA‐B*39 from a Spanish Caucasoid, using a new PCR primer for its 5′ untranslated region. The cDNA matched partial genomic sequences of B*3924, an allele whose distribution appears to be restricted to Mediterranean and Arabian Caucasoids. A single amino acid change exclusive to B*3924 (threonine‐98) distinguishes it from B*3903.     

A new syndrome of triphalangeal thumbs and brachy-ectrodactyly

Two Mexican families in which a total of 17 persons exhibited the same pattern of limb malformations are described. The syndrome is characterized by triphalangeal thumbs and brachydactyly affecting the index fingers and the third toes. The clinical findings are variable and the inheritance is autosomal dominant. The syndrome, to the best of our knowledge, has not been described before.     

The novel HLA-Cw*1802 allele is associated with B*5703 in the Bubi population from Equatorial Guinea

The HLA-Cw*1801 specificity, a Cw7/Cw4 hybrid allele, has recently been described in association with B*8101 (formerly B"DT"). In this study, the new Cw*1802 variant, differing from Cw*1801 at exon 5. is found associated with B*5703 in Bubi individuals from Equatorial Guinea. Confirmatory complete coding regions of B*5703 and B*3910 are also reported.     

Post traumatic brain perfusion SPECT analysis using reconstructed ROI maps of radioactive microsphere derived cerebral blood flow and statistical parametric mapping

Background  

Assessment of cerebral blood flow (CBF) by SPECT could be important in the management of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) because changes in regional CBF can affect outcome by promoting edema formation and intracranial pressure elevation (with cerebral hyperemia), or by causing secondary ischemic injury including post-traumatic stroke. The purpose of this study was to establish an improved method for evaluating regional CBF changes after TBI in piglets.     

Doctor,please make me freer: Capabilities enhancement as a goal of medicine

Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy - Biomedical innovations are making possible the enhancement of human capabilities. There are two philosophical stances on the role that medicine should play in...     

Abordajes en cirugía tiroidea

Thyroidectomy is the most frequent procedure in endocrine surgery. The conventional approach through a collar incision, as described by Kocher in XIX^th century, has become the “gold standard”. It is continuously evolving in spite of, many years ago, it showed to be safe and efficient with quality standards difficult to beat.Endoscopic and robotic surgery have developed “new approaches” to thyroid in order to improve the cosmetic results, looking even for invisible scars.We have done a thoughtful review of most of them trying to understand their benefits and drawbacks.Currently none of these “new approaches” have been shown to be better than conventional open thyroidectomy beyond offering a better cosmetic result. Besides, only a small percentage of patients can benefit of them. However, most of these approaches will remain if they treat the diseased thyroid and also improve the quality of life of our patients.