Physostigmine facilitation of lordosis in naturally cycling female rats

Both systemic and intracerebral administrations of the cholinergic muscarinic antagonist, scopolamine, have been shown to inhibit naturally occurring sexual behavior in intact, cycling female rats. The present study examined the facilitative effects of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, physostigmine (eserine), on sexual behavior in intact, cycling female rats. Cycling was determined by daily monitoring of sexual behavior and vaginal cytology. When administered during either early proestrus or proestrus, physostigmine activated lordosis 15 min and 1 hr after intraventricular infusion (10 micrograms bilaterally). However, infusion of physostigmine failed to facilitate lordosis 15 min after administration during either diestrus I, mid-diestrus, or diestrus II. The administration of this cholinergic agent did not interrupt cyclicity patterns. Because estrogen levels are highest during proestrus and cholinergic facilitation appears to be limited to this time, it is suggested that estrogen priming of central cholinergic systems is necessary for the cholinergic regulation of sexual behavior in intact, cycling female rats.     

Safety of levocetirizine treatment in young atopic children: An 18-month study

There are more than 40 H(1)-antihistamines available worldwide. Most of these medications have never been optimally studied in prospective, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trials in children. The aim was to perform a long-term study of levocetirizine safety in young atopic children. In the randomized, double-masked Early Prevention of Asthma in Atopic Children Study, 510 atopic children who were age 12-24 months at entry received either levocetirizine 0.125 mg/kg or placebo twice daily for 18 months. Safety was assessed by: reporting of adverse events, numbers of children discontinuing the study because of adverse events, height and body mass measurements, assessment of developmental milestones, and hematology and biochemistry tests. The population evaluated for safety consisted of 255 children given levocetirizine and 255 children given placebo. The treatment groups were similar demographically, and with regard to number of children with: one or more adverse events (levocetirizine, 96.9%; placebo, 95.7%); serious adverse events (levocetirizine, 12.2%; placebo, 14.5%); medication-attributed adverse events (levocetirizine, 5.1%; placebo, 6.3%); and adverse events that led to permanent discontinuation of study medication (levocetirizine, 2.0%; placebo, 1.2%). The most frequent adverse events related to: upper respiratory tract infections, transient gastroenteritis symptoms, or exacerbations of allergic diseases. There were no significant differences between the treatment groups in height, mass, attainment of developmental milestones, and hematology and biochemistry tests. The long-term safety of levocetirizine has been confirmed in young atopic children.     

The rate of heat storage mediates an anticipatory reduction in exercise intensity during cycling at a fixed rating of perceived exertion

The aim of the present study was to examine the regulation of exercise intensity in hot environments when exercise is performed at a predetermined, fixed subjective rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Eight cyclists performed cycling trials at 15°C (COOL), 25°C (NORM) and 35°C (HOT) (65% humidity throughout), during which they were instructed to cycle at a Borg rating of perceived exertion (RPE) of 16, increasing or decreasing their power output in order to maintain this RPE. Power output declined linearly in all three trials and the rate of decline was significantly higher in HOT than in NORM and COOL (2.35 ± 0.73 W min⁻¹, 1.63 ± 0.70 and 1.61 ± 0.80 W min⁻¹, respectively, P < 0.05). The rate of heat storage was significantly higher in HOT for the first 4 min of the trials only, as a result of increasing skin temperatures. Thereafter, no differences in heat storage were found between conditions. We conclude that the regulation of exercise intensity is controlled by an initial afferent feedback regarding the rate of heat storage, which is used to regulate exercise intensity and hence the rate of heat storage for the remainder of the anticipated exercise bout. This regulation maintains thermal homeostasis by reducing the exercise work rate and utilizing the subjective RPE specifically to ensure that excessive heat accumulation does not occur and cellular catastrophe is avoided.     

Site selection for fat autotransplantation: Some observations

The use of autologous fat for implantation has recently received renewed attention in the plastic surgery literature. Autologous fat reportedly has been used for the treatment of wrinkles and Romberg's disease, and for buttock and breast augmentation. While some measure of success has been achieved, many surgeons report that substantial resorption of fat tissue occurs at the site of implantation. There is lack of unanimity regarding the ideal site for extraction or injection in order to minimize fat resorption. Adipose tissue samples were taken from women undergoing surgical procedures on the abdomen, gluteal-femoral region, and breast. Facial adipose tissue samples from men and women were also analyzed. Adipocytes were isolated chemically and sized microscopically. Activity of the lipogenic enzyme adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase (ATLPL) was measured in frozen samples. Results suggest that femoral site samples are somewhat larger (NS) and have greater lipogenic activity (p<0.03) than other sites. In our study, small facial samples had very low or unmeasurable levels of ATLPL activity. Perhaps cell size and lipogenic activity should be considered when selecting tissues for autotransplantation.     

The synthesis, antibacterial, and beta-lactamase inhibitory activity of a novel asparenomycin analog.

An analog, 6-(2'-hydroxyethylidene)-4 beta-methyl-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-ene-2- carboxylate (11), of the carbapenem beta-lactamase inhibitor, asparenomycin A, was synthesized. It possessed a spectrum of antibacterial activity that was comparable to that of asparenomycin A but was less effective as a beta-lactamase inhibitor. With ampicillin, it only exhibited a moderate level of synergy against a variety of beta-lactamase-producing organisms. Although the presence of a 4 beta-methyl group in the analog brought about a significant increase in chemical stability relative to that of asparenomycin A, it did not result in an increase in stability to kidney dehydropeptidase enzyme.     

Sphenoid fissure syndrome in orbital fractures. Case presentation and literature review

The superior orbital syndrome has been reported as a very rare complication of orbital fracture. In emergency clinical examination and computed tomography of the cranio-orbital region have provided diagnosis of the compression of the superior orbital fissure content by oedema and/or hematoma. These examinations have determined the type of cranio-orbital fractures and the absence of extra-dural haemorrhage, optical nerve damage or compression, which required emergency treatment. After surgical treatment of the cranio-orbital fracture by temporal and transconjunctival approach, the orbital fissure syndrome has required supervision. The recovery of ophthalmoplegia has taken several months. Minor after effects have been observed for the patient reported.     

Comparison of versions 1.0 AND 1.5 of the UltraSensitive AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR test for subjects with low viral load

We compared the performance of two UltraSensitive AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR kits (version 1.5 [v1.5] versus v1.0) by retesting 404 plasma samples with low viral loads (<3,000 copies/ml) with both kits. With 292 samples that initially had <50 copies/ml by the v1.0 kit, the v1.5 assay was more sensitive than the v1.0 assay for samples with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA near the 50-copy/ml cutoff (P = 0.0146). Median numbers of copies per milliliter were similar for 112 samples with 50 to 3,000 copies/ml with no difference in sensitivity with a 200-copy/ml cutoff.     

Safety of cetirizine in infants 6 to 11 months of age: a randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled study

BACKGROUND: H(1)-antihistamines are widely used for symptom relief in allergic disorders in infants and children; however, there are few prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled studies of these medications in young children, and to date, no such studies have been conducted in infants. OBJECTIVE: This prospective, randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was designed to evaluate the safety of the H(1)-antihistamine cetirizine, particularly with regard to central nervous system and cardiac effects, in infants age 6 to 11 months, inclusive. METHODS: Infants who met the entry criteria for age and had a history of treatment with an H(1)-antihistamine for an allergic or other disorder were randomized to receive 0.25 mg/kg cetirizine orally or matching placebo twice daily orally for 1 week. RESULTS: The mean daily dose in cetirizine-treated infants was 4.5 +/- 0.7 mg (SD). No differences in all-cause or treatment-related adverse events were observed between the cetirizine- and placebo-treated groups. A trend was observed toward fewer adverse events and sleep-related disturbances in the cetirizine group compared with the placebo group. No prolongation in the linear corrected QT interval was observed in cetirizine-treated infants compared with either baseline values or with values in placebo-treated infants. CONCLUSIONS: We have documented the safety of cetirizine in this short-term investigation, the first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of any H(1)-antihistamine in infants. Additional prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, long-term studies of cetirizine and other H(1)-antihistamines are needed in this population.