Decreased hyperthermic effect of MK-801 in selectively bred hypercholinergic rats

The Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL) of rats has been selectively bred to have increased sensitivity to cholinergic agonists. However, these rats exhibit altered responsiveness to a number of noncholinergic agents, such as apomorphine, buspirone and ethanol. This study compared the FSL and control Flinders Resistant Line (FRL) rats in terms of their hyperthermic response to the phencyclidine (PCP) receptor agonist, MK-801 (0.2 mg/kg SC) and their MK-801 binding characteristics. We have found that FSL rats react with a delayed hyperthermia, having a significantly lower hyperthermia for the first 120 min of observation. Thereafter the response does not differ in FSL and FRL rats. Both groups had similar affinities and numbers of [3H]MK-801 binding sites in the hippocampus/cerebral cortex. Pretreatment with scopolamine (1 mg/kg SC) failed to affect MK-801-induced hyperthermia in either line of rats. These findings suggest that selective breeding of FSL rats attenuated the secondary mechanisms involved in the PCP receptor-mediated hyperthermic response. However, by itself cholinergic supersensitivity does not appear to be a major factor in the blunted responsiveness of FSL rats to MK-801.     

Suppression of alcohol and saccharin preference in rats by a novel Ca2+ channel inhibitor,Goe 5438

The effect of the novel 1,4-dihydronaphthyridine Ca²⁺ channel inhibitor Goe 5438 (CI-951) on voluntary ethanol consumption was examined in selectively bred alcohol-preferring (P) rats in a free choice two bottle preference test versus water. Intraperitoneally injected Goe 5438 dose-dependently (5, 10 or 20 µmol/kg, twice daily) inhibited ethanol and increased water intake over the 24 h period (injection day). The drug decreased ethanol preference, originally above 90%, by 6%, 19% and 45% at respective doses, on the injection day. That inhibitory effect of the highest dose of Goe 5438 on ethanol preference remained significant also on days 2 and 3 after injections (–51% and –18%, respectively). Goe 5438, in the highest dose, also tended to decrease granulated chow consumption during the injection day only. To further test whether the inhibition of ethanol preference is secondary to decrease in reinforcing properties of ethanol and not due to interference with satiety mechanisms, we compared the effect of two higher doses (10 and 20 µmol/kg, intraperitoneally, twice daily) of Goe 5438 on spontaneous preference for a non-caloric 0.04% saccharin solution in Sprague-Dawley rats. We observed a dose-dependent suppression of preference (by 44% and 58%, respectively) during the injection day, but not the subsequent 24 h period. However, Goe 5438 also significantly alleviated food pellet intake on the injection day. In conclusion, Goe 5438 produces potent and long-lasting inhibition of voluntary ethanol consumption, which may be secondary to attenuation of reinforcing properties of ethanol. Additionally, this particular Ca²⁺ channel inhibitor appears to have mild anorectic properties which may be conducive to acute suppression of alcohol intake.     

Accumulation of Cadmium in and Its Effect on the Midgut Gland of Terrestrial Snail Helix pomatia L. from Urban Areas in Poland

The objectives of this study were (1) to determine cadmium (Cd) accumulation in the midgut gland of a land snail Helix pomatia L. inhabiting residential areas of the 14 largest cities in Poland, and (2) to examine whether the accumulated Cd exerted any toxic effects. The average accumulation of Cd in the midgut gland of snails, weighing 16–18 g, ranged from 7.00 to 87.3 µg/g dry weight (0.06–0.77 µmol/g) and differed significantly among animals from the various urban areas. This difference in Cd accumulation was not related to city population, but was associated with the topsoil Cd (R² = 0.868, p < 0.0001). The tissue Cd was not found to produce toxicity (histopathology, programmed cell death, lipofuscin formation or lipid peroxidation), probably due to the induction of sufficiently high quantities of metallothionein and glutathione, well-known protective molecules.     

Localization and clinical characteristics of the ocular metastases of solid extraocular tumours

Localization and clinical characteristics of the ocular metastases of solid tumours are presented. Choroid is the most common localization site of these metastases, however they may involve each ocular structure. In the most cases they are diagnosed in patients with earlier recognized cancer, but in 12-40% of the patients ocular metastasis is a first sign of the neoplasm. Therapy is focused to save the eye function or last but not least to improve patient's status.     

Effect of stimulation of brain serotonergic system on mouse-killing behavior in rats

Mouse-killing behavior was induced in male Wistar rats due to 6 weeks isolation. The selective stimulation of the dorsal raphe nucleus markedly reduced muricide behavior. On the other hand rats with electrodes situated outside of the dorsal raphe (within the substantia grisea centralis) showed no changes in muricide behavior when compared with control (non-stimulated) animals. Pharmacological stimulation of whole serotonergic brain neurons by quipazine, an agonist of serotonin receptors, and compound CGP 6085-A, a selective inhibitor of serotonin uptake, strongly decreased mouse-killing behavior. Our data indicates that serotonergic neurons inhibit predatory aggression in rats.     

Retinal dysfunction in eyes of patients with BRCA1 gene mutation

PURPOSE: To assess the retinal function in BRCA1 gene mutation carriers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty unaffected patients (60 eyes) with constitutional BRCA1 gene mutation were studied. Flash ERG recordings were performed in accordance with the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV) standards. RESULTS: In ERGs, in the maximal response, amplitude of a-wave (p<0.02) was reduced. In the cone single- flash response, the amplitude of a-wave (p<0.04) was also reduced. In the scotopic oscillatory potentials (OPs), we noted: increased amplitude of OP2 (p<0.0006), increased index of OP amplitude (01+02+03+04) (p<0.04), and increased latencies of OP1 (<0.05) and OP3 (p<0.004) and OP4 (p<0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Slight dysfunction of rods, cones and inner retinal layers is present in asymptomatic carriers of BRCA1 gene mutation.     

Management of the occlusion and stenosis of the aortic arch branches in the course of Takayasu’s arteritis

Takayasu＇s arteritis （TA） is a chronic inflammatory disease of the aorta and its thoracic and abdominalparts, most commonly involving the aortic arch and the arteries that arise from it. TA is an autoimmune disease, although certain HLA-linked genetic predispositions have been observed. TA affects females 2 to 8 times more fi＇equently than males. The onset age is between 10 to 40 years old.1 TA is extremely uncommon in Poland. Corticosteroids are the choice of treatment for TA,     

Towards Efficient Luminescent Solar Energy Concentrator Using Cuprorivaite Infrared Phosphor (CaCuSi4O10)—Effect of Dispersing Method on Photoluminescence Intensity

Cuprorivaite, also known as Egyptian blue (EB), CaCuSi₄O₁₀, has been utilized as an important blue pigment for thousands of years. It shows a 430–800 nm broad excitation band and an intense 910–920 nm near-infrared (NIR) emission peak at room temperature. The application that motivates the current research is for luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) usage. Current technology for this purpose relies on high near-infrared reflectance. This article addresses the investigation of the relationship between dispersing methods and photoluminescence (PL) intensity. Mechanical grinding methods investigated in the study were: horizontal bead mill, exfoliation and three-roll mill. The initial aim of the study was to verify if the proposed methods do not damage PL. To the surprise of the authors, three-roll mill treatment enhanced PL by nearly 50% without altering the morphology of the powder. An X-ray diffraction study suggested slight alterations in the crystal lattice.