Ethanol withdrawal induces anxiety-like effects: Role of nitric oxide synthase in the dorsal raphe nucleus of rats

Nitric oxide (NO) mediated transmission in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) has been shown to be involved in the modulation of anxiety-like behaviors. We investigated whether inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the DRN would prevent anxiety-like behavior induced by ethanol withdrawal. Male Wistar rats were treated with ethanol 2-6% (v/v) for a period of 21 days. Ethanol withdrawal was induced by abrupt discontinuation of the treatment. Experiments were performed 48 h after ethanol discontinuation. Rats with a guide cannula aimed at the DRN received intra-DRN injections of the non-selective NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), selective neuronal NOS (nNOS) inhibitor N(ω)-propyl-l-arginine (NPLA), or selective inhibitor of inducible NOS (iNOS) N-([3-(aminomethyl)phenyl] methyl) ethanimidamidedihydrochloride (1400W). Five minutes later, the animals were tested in the elevated plus maze (EPM). Plasma ethanol levels were determined by gas chromatography. There was a reduction in plasma ethanol levels 48 h after ethanol withdrawal. Rats from the ethanol withdrawal group showed decreased exploration of the open arms of the EPM with no change in the exploration of enclosed arms. Intra-DRN treatment with l-NAME (100 nmoles/0.2 μL) and 1400W (1 nmol/0.2 μL), but not NPLA (10 nmoles/0.2 μL) in the DRN attenuated the decrease in the exploration of the open arms of the EPM induced by ethanol withdrawal. The major new finding of the present study is that iNOS in the DRN plays a role in the anxiety-like behavior induced by ethanol withdrawal.

[Cause-specific mortality in populations exposed and unexposed to outdoor emissions of formaldehyde and wood dust: the Viadana study]

AIM

to describe the mortality risk for all causes and chronic diseases among people living in the industrial district of Viadana (Mantua), where wooden furniture factories producing formaldehyde and wood dust are situated.

DESIGN

mortality for the years 1996-2005 among residents in the municipalities where the industrial plants are located (exposed areas) was compared with the mortality among people living in the areas without plants (non-exposed areas).

MAIN OUTCOMES

standardized mortality ratios (SMR), using as reference the total population of the Province of Mantua.

RESULTS

overall mortality risk was slightly higher in the non-exposed areas and in the district of Viadana than in the Province of Mantua. Mortality risk for all cancers in the exposed areas was lower than in the Province of Mantua (SMR=0.93; 95% IC 0.87-0.99). Mortality for prostate cancer was significantly increased in the exposed areas compared to non-exposed areas (RR=1.83; 95% IC 1.08-3.09) and to the Province of Mantua as a whole (SMR=1.39; 95% IC 1.06-1.79). Mortality maps suggest a higher mortality risk for prostate cancer, mainly among exposed areas. An excess of mortality for leukaemia (non-statistically significant) and for respiratory diseases (statistically significant) was found in Gazzuolo and Sabbioneta, both located in the exposed area.

CONCLUSION

no statistically significant excess risk of mortality for cancer of upper aerodigestive tract was found among residents in municipalities where wood dust and formaldehyde producing factories were active. The increased mortality risk for prostate cancer and leukaemia needs to be deeply analyzed.

Detection of HGE agent-like Ehrlichia in Ixodes ricinus ticks in northern Italy by PCR

Little is known about the distribution of Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis (HGE) in Europe and even less is known in Italy, where no case of clinically documented HGE has been reported. In a previous study we reported the presence of Ehrlichia DNA in Ixodes ricinus ticks from Central Italy. By the use of an Ehrlichia-specific PCR we found that 24% of the ticks were positive. Furthermore, we demonstrated a simultaneous coinfection of the same tick by both, Borrelia burgdorferi and Ehrlichia phagocytophila. Since the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region (North-east of Italy) is endemic for Lyme borreliosis (LB) and the geographic distribution of HGE usually overlaps that of LB, we decided to carry out a survey concerning the presence of Ehrlichia spp. in a recreational area near Trieste where the presence of Lyme borreliosis and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in ticks is well demonstrated. Ticks were analyzed in pools (because a low infection rate was expected): eleven samples out of 93 were found positive by Ehrlichia-PCR. Subsequent sequence analysis of some of the positive PCR products revealed a high homology with the HGE agent Ehrlichia (only one base substitution in almost 450 bp sequenced). These findings add new and interesting data on the Ehrlichia epidemiology in Italy. By now we have demonstrated the presence of two distinct granulocytic ehrlichiae in Italiyn ticks by the aid of a PCR-based analysis: Ehrlichia phagocytophila in Central Italy and an HGE-like Ehrlichia in the north-eastern Italy, in a region close to Slovenia where the first reported case of HGE in Europe occurred.

Rate of infection of Ixodes ricinus ticks with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia garinii, Borrelia afzelii and group VS116 in an endemic focus of Lyme disease in Italy

A study to evaluate the natural rate of infection of Ixodes ricinus with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato was carried out in an endemic focus of Lyme disease in the Trieste area in northern Italy. Two-hundred and twenty-seven ticks collected in ten different stations were tested individually for the presence of the spirochetes using polymerase chain reaction techniques able to identify both Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and the four genospecies (Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia garinii. Borrelia afzelii and group VS116). Multiple infection of individual ticks was found. The infection rate ranged from 0-70%. Infection of Ixodes ricinus with Borrelia burgdorferi group VS116 was found for the first time in Italy in both a high and a low endemic focus of Lyme disease.

In vitro activity of rokitamycin, a new macrolide, against Borrelia burgdorferi

The activity of rokitamycin, a new macrolide with a 16-member ring, was tested against Borrelia burgdorferi in vitro. The antibiotic had a lower MIC at which 50% of the isolates are inhibited than erythromycin, the parent 14-member macrolide, but the same MIC at which 50% of the isolates are inhibited as the other recent 14- and 15-member macrolides, like clarithromycin and azithromycin. The MBC was equal to the MIC at which 50% of the isolates are inhibited, so rokitamycin can be considered bactericidal against B. burgdorferi. The sensitivity of the Borrelia strains tested was not correlated with the particular species Burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. garinii, and B. afzelii or with the number of subcultures of the isolates.

Haematology of Mystromys albicaudatus

Haemograms were determined for 90 Mystromys, 3-24 months of age, to establish normal values and to evaluate the influence of age and gender. Males over 6 months of age had higher red blood cell counts, packed cell volumes and haemoglobin levels than females of the same age. The haemograms of females 3-5 months old resembled those of males. Age and gender did not cause detectable differences in leucocyte numbers in animals over 6 months old.

Varicella-like herpesvirus infections of nonhuman primates

At least three distinct herpesviruses cause varicella like exanthematous diseases among nonhuman primates. Spontaneous epizootics have resulted in high morbidity and mortality rates among Cercopithecus aethiops, Erythrocebus patas and Macaca species in research colonies. Mild infections have been observed in infant chimpanzees and a gorilla. This group of diseases is of interest not only because they are a threat to primate colonies, but also because their pathologic similarity to progressive human varicella makes them a potentially valuable animal model of this disease. The nonhuman primate varicella-like exanthematous diseases are reviewed and compared to varicella in man.

Intraperitoneal pentobarbitone anaesthesia of Mystromys albicaudatus

Anaesthesia trials with intraperitoneal (i.p.) pentobarbitone sodium in Mystromys albicaudatus indicated that the optimum dose is between 4 and 5 mg/100 g bodyweight. No differences were detected in duration of anaesthesia associated with sex or time of day.

Causes of death of infant rhesus and squirrel monkeys

The necropsy records of 144 infant rhesus monkeys and 38 infant squirrel monkeys that died during a 2-year period at the Delta Regional Primate Research Center were reviewed for causes of deaths and other clinically important findings. Bronchopneumonia, enteric diseases, and Streptococcus pneumoniae infections were the most frequent causes of death in infant rhesus monkeys. Trauma was the most frequent cause of death in squirrel monkeys less than 1 month old and bronchopneumonia was the most frequent cause of death in older squirrel monkey infants.

The presence of retinopathy in patients with secondary diabetes following pancreatectomy or chronic pancreatitis

The incidence of diabetic retinopathy was evaluated by means of fluorescein angiography in 54 patients with diabetes secondary to chronic pancreatitis or to pancreatectomy. Thirty-one percent of the patients had background retinopathy; none had proliferative retinopathy. The percentage of patients with retinopathy was the same in groups with or without a family history of diabetes. There was no correlation between the degree of metabolic control, the levels of C-peptide, glucagon, growth hormone, and the presence of retinopathy. Retinopathy was correlated with the duration of diabetes. In conclusion, diabetes caused by pancreatitis or pancreatectomy has a significant prevalence of retinopathy, which has more benign characteristics and slower evolution than the retinopathy in patients with primary diabetes.

Plasma kallikrein activity in human diabetes mellitus

It has recently been observed that administration of bradykinin to diabetic patients improves peripheral glucose utilization. To verify whether there is an alteration of the kallikrein-kinin system in human diabetes, plasma kallikrein activity was measured in 47 diabetic patients and in 20 control subjects. In diabetics plasma kallikrein activity was significantly higher than in controls: 1.04 +/- 0.04 U/ml (p less than 0.001). Although they do not refute the hypothesis that there is an alteration of the kallikrein-kinin system in diabetes mellitus, these findings do not support such a hypothesis either. Increased synthesis of plasma kallikrein activity may be due to increased synthesis of carbohydrate-protein compounds in diabetes mellitus.

Contact phase of blood coagulation in diabetes mellitus

The first phase of the intrinsic coagulation system was studied in twenty-six diabetic outpatients. The parameters tested were kallicrein, prekallicrein, factor XI and factor XII activities. Kallicrein and factor XI showed significantly elevated activities as compared with a normal control group (P less than 0.05 and less than 0.001, respectively). Factor XI and factor XII levels were higher in non-insulin dependent than in insulin dependent diabetics. We found that the kallicrein-prekallicrein system was activated in our diabetic patients and that such activation could probably be secondary to lesions of the vascular endothelium present in long-term diabetics. No correlation was found between glycaemia and activity levels of this system. Our data represent another demonstration of the existence of a hypercoagulable state in diabetes mellitus.

Lymphocyte subpopulations in insulin-dependent diabetics with and without serum islet-cell autoantibodies

The lymphocyte subpopulations of 26 insulin-dependent diabetics were studied. Thirteen of them had persistent pancreatic islet-cell serum antibodies (ICA) (mean (+/- SD) duration of diabetes 11 +/- 8 years). The others were ICA-negative (mean duration of diabetes 10 +/- 8 years). The mean fasting blood glucose in the week before the lymphocyte count was 1..37 +/- 0.45 g/l (two specimens for every patient). As controls 19 healthy volunteers, sex and age matched, were investigated. The T-lymphocyte count was no different in diabetics compared to controls. B-cells were significantly raised (p less than 0.01) in the ICA-positive group, when tested with anti-human gammaglobulin sera (IgG + IgA + IgM), anti-human IgM, while no difference was observed between ICA-negative patients and normal subjects. IgA-bearing lymphocytes were equally raised in both diabetic groups (p less than 0.05). These data show an altered immunological balance in type IB (autoimmune) diabetes, characterized by an increased number of B-lymphocytes.

Plasma and urine free L-carnitine in human diabetes mellitus

L-carnitine is essential for the transport of long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria and their oxidation. Recently, a relationship between plasma free fatty acids (FFA) and L-carnitine metabolism has been observed. Plasma free L-carnitine (FC), FFA, triglycerides, cholesterol, blood glucose concentration and daily excretion of FC were determined in 20 diabetic patients as well as in 18 control subjects. Both in male diabetics and in male controls, plasma FC was significantly higher than in females. Mean plasma FC was found to be significantly reduced in diabetics (21 +/- 2 vs 35 +/- 2 mumol/1 in non-diabetic subjects; p less than 0.005). Daily urinary excretion of FC was clearly lower in diabetic patients than in controls (172 +/- 34 vs 403 +/- 38 mumol/24 h; p less than 0.001). The reduced plasma FC in diabetes mellitus may be due to redistribution between circulating free and esterified carnitine and to increased utilization of FC for synthesis of acylcarnitine in tissues.

Serum lipids and apoprotein composition (%) of the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) fraction in two groups of diabetic patients: effects of oral as compared to insulin therapy

Forty-one diabetic patients (21 males and 20 females) were divided into two groups according to treatment. One group (n = 22) was treated with insulin and the other with oral therapy (tolbutamide) (n = 19). The two groups of patients were in a good metabolic control in that the glucose loss in the urine was less than 10 g/24 h. In these two groups we have evaluated total serum cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), VLDL TC/TG ratio and prevalence of 'double pre-beta lipoproteinemia'. For these parameters no significant differences have been found between the two groups. The results of our study suggest that, provided metabolic control is good, the VLDL metabolism does not seem to be affected by the type of treatment.

Polioencephalomalacia associated with water deprivation in cattle

The water supply of 500 yearling steers was restricted for approximately 48 hours and several of the animals died or developed neurologic signs. Two steers necropsied had deep laminar cerebrocortical malacia. These lesions appear to be an uncommon consequence of water deprivation in cattle.

THE ROLE OF METAL-ION BINDING IN MODIFYING THE TOXIC EFFECTS OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE ON THE LICHEN UMBILICARIA MUHLENBERGII: II. 14 C-FIXATION STUDIES

Total ¹⁴ C fixation in Umbilicaria muhlenbergii was not significantly affected at levels near the capacity of the first binding site (c. 12 μmol g^-1 ) of class A metal ions or borderline metal ions with class A characteristics: i.e. Sr²⁺ , Mg²⁺ , Ca²⁺ , Ni²⁺ , and Zn²⁺ . Although both Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ are borderline ions with significant class B character, only Cu²⁺ greatly reduced fixation. However Ni²⁺ and Pb²⁺ , as well as Cu²⁺ , induced increased photosynthate release from lichen samples. Protection against damage due to SO₂ exposure was rendered by the uptake of class A ions and even borderline ions except those normally accumulated intracellularly (Mg²⁺ , Zn²⁺ ) or possessing the capacity to penetrate cells readily (Cu²⁺ ). Of the borderline ions tested, Pb²⁺ , Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ , as well as SO₂ , induced changes resulting in the incorporation of less ¹⁴ C into ribitol and more into sucrose and other sugars during photosynthesis by the lichen samples. The presence of the class A ion Ca²⁺ caused a shift in the opposite direction. The presence of Ca²⁺ , Ni²⁺ , Pb²⁺ , but not Cu²⁺ , on the lichen tended to inhibit the large SO₂ -induced shift away from ribitol production. The threshold levels of various metals reported from field studies to result in visible damage are discussed in terms of the observed photosynthetic perturbations, K²⁺ leakage and factors determining metal uptake by lichens. Finally, the ecological significance of the ability of Ca²⁺ to protect lichens against the damaging effects of air pollution is discussed.

THE ROLE OF METAL-ION BINDING IN MODIFYING THE TOXIC EFFECTS OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE ON THE LICHEN UMBILICARIA MUHLENBERGII: I. POTASSIUM EFFLUX STUDIES

K⁺ efflux from Umbilicaria muhlenbergii was not affected following the uptake of known amounts (< 20 μmol g^-1 ) of Ca²⁺ , Mg²⁺ , Sr²⁺ and Zn²⁺ , but was increased in the cases of Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ . In a number of samples that had taken up increasing amounts of Cu²⁺ , a discontinuity in K⁺ release during metal incubation correlated with a decrease in subsequent ¹⁴ C fixation. Some of the binding sites associated with the first phase of Cu²⁺ uptake (up to 12 μmol g^-1 ) are interpreted to occur near, on or within the algal cells. The larger K⁺ loss associated with higher Cu²⁺ uptake levels indicated that a component of the second Cu²⁺ uptake phase involved binding at or penetration of the fungal membranes. The uptake of Sr²⁺ , Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺ conferred some protection to samples subsequently exposed to 75 p.p.m. aqueous SO₂ for 1 h, while Mg²⁺ , and Ca²⁺ had no effect. The combined effects of Cu²⁺ uptake and SO_S exposure (and also Pb²⁺ and SO₈ ) were approximately cumulative. Finally, the results are explained by reference to a classification that separates metal ions into three chemically and biologically significant categories. It is concluded that class A metal ions (those with a preference for ionic interactions) and borderline metal ions with class A character tend to protect lichens against SO₂ damage, while borderline metal ions with class B character (a preference for covalent interactions) have the opposite effect.

Incidence and significance of islet-cell autoantibodies in different types of diabetes mellitus

Islet-cell (ICA) and organ-specific autoantibodies (OSA) were determined by the indirect immunofluorescence technique in 920 diabetics, 1,159 nondiabetic patients, and 100 young and 100 adult healthy controls with normal glucose tolerance. In control subjects ICA were not detected, and only 20 miscellaneous patients with normal glucose tolerance showed ICA (1.7 per cent). ICA were present in 45.4 per cent of patients with juvenile insulin-dependent diabetes (IDD) during the first six months of disease and in 29.1 per cent of patients between 6 and 12 months of disease onset; ICA presence decreased to 19.2 per cent and 20.6 per cent after one and five years of duration of diabetes.

In patients with maturity-onset IDD, ICA incidence was 19.4 per cent in the first year, 20 per cent between one and five years, and 12.2 per cent after five years of disease. In this group, 64 per cent of ICA-positive patients showed clinical and/or serologie evidence of thyroid, gastric, or adrenal autoimmune disorders.

In sera from young patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes (J-NIDD), ICA were not detected. In adult patients with the same type of diabetes (M-NIDD) ICA incidence was 9.8, 7, and 8.9 per cent and was not related to the duration of diabetes. Patients with chemical diabetes were divided into two groups (younger and older than 35 years), and ICA incidence was 18.9 and 12.9 per cent, respectively. In two nondiabetic patients, glucagon cell autoantibodies were detected. ICA titers were variable in juvenile IDD of recent onset. Persistent ICA titers, frequently associated with OSA, were observed in the other types of diabetes, with the exception of J-NIDD. ICA may be considered markers of severe beta-cell alteration, with consequent reduction of insulin secretion, even though insulin dependency is sometimes delayed in a few patients.