Potential of natural flavonols and flavanones in the treatment of ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease generally characterized by chronic, persistent, recurrent, and non-specific ulcers of the intestine. Its main clinical manifestations include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloody stools. This disease is difficult to cure and even carries the risk of canceration. It has been listed as a modern refractory disease by the World Health Organization. Though a large amount of drugs are available for the inhibition of UC, the conventional treatment such as aminosalicylic acids, glucocorticoids, immunosuppressors, and biological agents possess certain limitations and serious side effects. Therefore, it is urgently needed for safe and effective drugs of UC, and natural-derived flavonols and flavanones showed tremendous potential. The present study concentrated on the progress of natural-derived flavonols and flavanones from edible and pharmaceutical plants for the remedy of UC over the last two decades. The potential pharmaceutical of natural-derived flavonols and flavanones against UC were closely connected with the modulation of gut microflora, gut barrier function, inflammatory reactions, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. The excellent efficacy and safety of natural flavonols and flavanones make them prospective drug candidates for UC suppression.

The impact of nurse-led nonpharmacological multidisciplinary holistic nursing care on fatigue patients receiving hemodialysis: a randomized, parallel-group, controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Fatigue is a symptom characterized by an elevated prevalence in patients undergoing hemodialysis, which may cause extreme mental and muscular debilitation, significantly influencing social interaction, life quality and well-being. However, the significance of fatigue to patients undergoing hemodialysis has not been recognized yet, and prevention and management of fatigue in this population have not been thoroughly investigated. Additionally, previous studies mainly focused on muscular fatigue, while mental fatigue has been seldom discussed. This study aims to investigate the interaction between nurses and multidisciplinary of nonpharmacological integrated care interventions (NICIs) and assess the impact of fatigue on patients undergoing hemodialysis.

METHODS

The integrative nonpharmacological care interventions in this study included walking, motivational interviewing (MI) and health education regarding behavioral self-management. A single-center randomized controlled trial was conducted in the dialysis center of the nephrological department in a tertiary affiliated hospital of medical university from January to June 2019. A total of 118 patients were selected and randomly divided into the intervention group (IG) and the control group (CG). Four patients dropped out during the study, and 114 patients were enrolled for the eventual analysis. The 60 patients in the IG received routine nursing combined with integrated care interventions, while the 54 patients in the CG received routine nursing only. This study lasted for six months.

RESULTS

The experimental group exhibited significant reductions of overall fatigue (2.26 vs. 0.48), mental fatigue (1.41 vs. 0.54), muscular fatigue (2.13 vs. 0.75), and some biochemical indicators (e.g., serum urea) (P<0.05), compared with the CG.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses and multidisciplinary teams have been demonstrated to play a key role and interplay function in chronic disease management. Hence, the nurse-led multidisciplinary NICIs significantly alleviated total fatigue (muscular fatigue and mental fatigue) and improved other parameters.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ChiCTR-IOR-16008621 (March 18, 2016).

Potential of natural products in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

BACKGROUND

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a kind of functional bowel disease that is characterized by bellyache, abdominal distension, and diarrhea. Although not life-threatening, IBS has a long course and recurrent attacks and seriously affects the life quality of patients. Current drugs for treating IBS possess remarkable limitations, such as limited efficacy and severe adverse reactions. Therefore, developing novel medications to treat IBS is quite essential, and natural products may be a substantial source.

PURPOSE

This is the first systematic review elaborating the recent advancement of natural products as potential drugs for the therapy of IBS.

METHODS

A comprehensive retrieval of studies was carried out in scientific databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Elsevier, and CNKI. By using ("irritable bowel syndrome" OR "IBS") AND ("natural product" OR "natural compound" OR "phytochemical") as keywords, the eligible studies were screened, and the relevant information about therapeutic action and mechanism of natural products treating IBS was extracted.

RESULTS

Natural products against IBS consisted of four categories, namely, terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenols. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms for natural products treating IBS were tightly associated with increased TJs and mucus protein expression, regulation of the brain-gut axis and gut microbiota structure, and inhibition of inflammatory response and intestinal mucosal damage.

CONCLUSION

Natural products could be extremely prospective candidate drugs used to treat IBS, and further preclinical and clinical researches are needed to guarantee their efficacy and safety.

The Effect of Nonpharmacological Integrated Care Protocols on Patients with Fatigue Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study was designed to investigate the effects of nonpharmacological integrated care protocols on fatigue in patients with hemodialysis. This parallel randomized controlled trial was conducted on patients undergoing hemodialysis from May to October 2020 at the Dialysis Center of the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University. The patients were randomized into an intervention group (accepting nonpharmacological integrated care protocols and standard care) or a control group (accepting standard care only) using a computer-generated random number. The nonpharmacological holistic care intervention used in this study involved a well-rounded multidisciplinary team that worked together to improve dietary compliance, medication adherence, and self-management to improve patients' care and promote self-management. From the 120 evaluated patients, 116 cases were eligible and analyzed. The results showed that patients from the intervention group had obviously reduced overall fatigue, mental fatigue, and muscular fatigue relative to the control group. The nonpharmacological integrated care protocols were interactive and promotive to each other. Meanwhile, the role and function of nurses in the management of chronic disease were demonstrated to be crucial.

Characteristics and diversity of microbial communities in lead-zinc tailings under heavy metal stress in north-west China

High-throughput 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA sequencing were performed to study the changes of soil microbial diversity and community structure under different heavy metal pollution levels in Chengxian lead-zinc mining area, Gansu Province. In this study, we characterized the main physicochemical properties, multiple heavy metal pollution, and microbial community structure of the soil in the tailings. The results show that the soil near the tailings pond was alkaline, barren and the heavy metals were seriously polluted. The microbial diversity and richness of S1 and S2 sites were significantly lower than that of CK2 site (P < 0·05), indicating that the heavy metal pollution could change the physicochemical properties and microbial community structure in soil. Among 97 identified core operating taxa of fungal communities, Ascomycota, Teguta and Basidiomycota were dominant at the phylum level, while among 1523 identified core operating taxa of bacterial communities, Actinomycota was dominant at the phylum level. In addition, the redundancy analysis and Spearman correlation analysis showed that the physicochemical properties and the heavy metal concentration had significant effects on the composition and distribution of soil microbial community. The basic characteristics of soil physicochemical properties, multiple heavy metal pollution and microbial community structure in the tailings were revealed, hoping to provide a basis for ecological rehabilitation of tailings by revealing the variance rule of microbial community diversity in the future.

High urinary excretion rate of glucose attenuates serum uric acid level in type 2 diabetes with normal renal function

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

The relationship between urinary excretion rate of glucose (UEGL) and uric acid (UA) metabolism in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains unclear to date. This study aimed to investigate the relationships of UEGL with serum UA (SUA), urinary excretion rate of uric acid (UEUA), and renal clearance of uric acid (CLUA) in adults with T2D. We hypothesised that high UEGL increases UA excretion, which in turn leads to lower SUA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study of 635 inpatients with T2D recruited between 2018 and 2019. The relationships of UEGL with UEUA, CLUA, and hyperuricaemia were assessed using analysis of covariance and multivariate regression analysis.

RESULTS

Patients in the higher quartile of UEGL tended to have lower SUA levels than those in the lower quartile. In contrast, patients in the higher quartile of UEGL tended to have higher CLUA (p for trend < 0.0001), and a similar trend was observed for UEUA. In adjusted multivariable linear regression model, UEGL was negatively correlated with SUA (β = - 0.023, 95% CI - 0.034 to - 0.013, p < 0.0001). However, positive correlations of UEGL with UEUA (β = 0.046, 95% CI 0.018-0.074, p = 0.001) and CLUA (β = 0.063, 95% CI 0.042-0.085, p < 0.0001) were found. Furthermore, consistent significant inverse associations were observed between quartiles of UEGL and hyperuricaemia in the adjusted multivariate logistic regression model.

CONCLUSIONS

A high UEGL level was positively correlated with UEUA and CLUA. Moreover, it was inversely associated with SUA level, and a consistently increased UEGL level reduced the risk of hyperuricaemia in patients with T2D.

Skin Ultrastructure and the Changes of HIF-2α, H-FABP Expression in the Myocardium of Electric Shock Death Rats

Abstract

Objective To observe the skin ultrastructure change of electric shock death rats and to test the expression changes of hypoxia-inducible factor-2α （HIF-2α） and heart type-fatty acid-binding protein （H-FABP） of myocardial cells, in order to provide basis for forensic identification of electric shock death. Methods The electric shock model of rats was established. The 72 rats were randomly divided into control group, electric shock death group and postmortem electric shock group. Each group was divided into three subgroups, immediate （0 min）, 30 min and 60 min after death. The skin changes of rats were observed by HE staining, the changes of skin ultrastructure were observed by scanning electron microscopy, and the expression of HIF-2α and H-FABP in rats myocardium was tested by immunohistochemical staining. Results The skin in the electric shock death group and postmortem electric shock group had no significant difference through the naked eye or by HE staining. Under the scanning electron microscope, a large number of cellular debris, cells with unclear boundaries, withered cracks, circular or elliptical holes scattered on the cell surface and irregular edges were observed. A large number of spherical foreign body particles were observed. Compared with the control group, the expression of HIF-2α in all electric shock death subgroups increased, reaching the peak immediately after death. In the postmortem electric shock group, HIF-2α expression only increased immediately after death, but was lower than that of electric shock death group （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group, the expression of H-FABP in all subgroups of electric shock death group and postmortem electric shock group significantly decreased. The expression of H-FABP in all subgroups of electric shock death group was lower than that of the postmortem electric shock group （P<0.05）. Conclusion Electric shock can increase HIF-2α expression and decrease H-FABP expression in the myocardium, which may be of forensic significance for the determination of electric shock death and identification of antemortem and postmortem electric shock.

Passiflora edulis: An Insight Into Current Researches on Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

Passiflora edulis, also known as passion fruit, is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas of the world and becomes popular because of balanced nutrition and health benefits. Currently, more than 110 phytochemical constituents have been found and identified from the different plant parts of P. edulis in which flavonoids and triterpenoids held the biggest share. Various extracts, fruit juice and isolated compounds showed a wide range of health effects and biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, anti-tumor, antidiabetic, hypolipidemic activities, and so forth. Daily consumption of passion fruit at common doses is non-toxic and safe. P. edulis has great potential development and the vast future application for this economically important crop worldwide, and it is in great demand as a fresh product or a formula for food, health care products or medicines. This mini-review aims to provide systematically reorganized information on physiochemical features, nutritional benefits, biological activities, toxicity, and potential applications of leaves, stems, fruits, and peels of P. edulis.

Estimation on Formation Time of Thrombus

OBJECTIVES

To observe the changes of the formation time of venous thrombus in rats, and to provide new ideas and methods for the estimation on thrombus formation time of the forensic cases died from thrombosis.

METHODS

Totally 80 rats were randomly divided into 10 groups （0 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 1 d, 3 d, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 4 weeks after operation）. A vein thrombosis model was established by the "narrow" method. The processes of thrombosis, organization, recanalization and the features of change on hemosiderin and calcium salt were observed by HE stain, Perls stain and Von Kossa stain. The expression changes of CD61, α-SMA and CD34 were observed by immunohistochemical staining technique.

RESULTS

Platelets adhered to the exposed blood vessel intima 3 h after operation, and platelet trabeculae were formed by the repeated accumulation of platelets 1 d after operation. The thrombus organization formed through the fibroblasts from vessel wall that grew into the interior of the thrombus 3 d after operation. Endothelial cells covered the surface of thrombus and then the new blood vessels were reformed, and the vessels were reconstructed. The expression of CD61 upregulated at the stages of the thrombus formation （3 h） and thrombus reformation （4 weeks）, and reached the peak 1 d after thrombus formation. The release of hemosiderin and the initial expression of α-SMA were detected 3 d later. Calcium deposit and expression of CD34 were observed 1 week later.

CONCLUSIONS

The hemosiderin, calcium salt, CD61, α-SMA and CD34 show time-dependent changing characteristics, which is expected to provide a reference for the estimation on thrombus formation time of the forensic cases died from thrombosis.

Physical Predictors of Cognitive Function in Individuals With Hypertension: Evidence from the CHARLS Basline Survey

The purpose of the study was to examine the independent associations of each individual physical performance measure (i.e., grip strength, walking speed, repeated chair stands, and balance test) with subdomains of cognitive function and to determine predictors for each subdomain of cognitive function. A secondary data analysis was performed using a nationally representative middle-aged and older sample of hypertensive population. The findings showed that after adding all four physical performance measures, stronger grip strength was significantly associated with better visuospatial abilities, episodic memory, orientation/attention, and overall cognitive function. In addition, faster walking speed and faster repeated chair stands were strongly associated with better episodic memory and overall cognitive function, respectively. Because grip strength was significantly associated with several subdomains of cognitive functioning, it seems conceivable that increasing physical activity would improve both grip strength and cognitive function in patients with hypertension.

Characteristics and factors associated with nosocomial pneumonia among patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT): A case-control study

OBJECTIVES

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is a specialized type of dialysis. However, the characteristics and factors associated with nosocomial pneumonia in patients undergoing CRRT have received little attention to date. Therefore, this study investigated the characteristics of and factors contributing to nosocomial pneumonia in patients receiving CRRT.

METHODS

The clinical data of 1160 patients undergoing CRRT during the period January 2008 to December 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. Of these 1160 cases, 145 (12.5%) were included in the nosocomial pneumonia group, while 1015 were included in the control group.

RESULTS

The primary pathogen in the 145 cases of nosocomial pneumonia in the CRRT patients was Staphylococcus aureus (58.57%); the morbidity rate was 12.5%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age (odds ratio (OR) 2.209), initial curative time (OR 1.960), underlying diseases (OR 1.820), consciousness disorder (OR 1.616), organ failure (OR 2.154), the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (APACHE II) (OR 1.186), and the Charlson Comorbidity Index score (CCI) (OR 1.278) were risk factors for nosocomial pneumonia (all p<0.05). Conversely, the serum white blood cell count (OR 0.585), albumin (OR 0.673), and hemoglobin (OR 0.712) levels were protective factors (all p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Results from this study indicate that by modifying risk factors, such as providing adequate nutrition, earlier treatment of underlying diseases, and controlling organ failure, the risks associated with nosocomial pneumonia may be reduced.

Photosynthetic and biochemical activities in flag leaves of a newly developed superhigh-yield hybrid rice (Oryza sativa) and its parents during the reproductive stage

Responses of net photosynthetic rates to intercellular CO(2) concentration (P (n)/C (i) curves) and photochemical characteristics were investigated in flag leaves of newly developed superhigh-yield hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.) LiangYouPeiJiu (LYPJ) and its maternal PeiAi64S (PA64S) and paternal WuMang9311 (WM9311) lines grown in the field during the reproductive stage. The results showed that photosynthetic functions, such as the electron transport activities of photosystems and photophosphorylation, assessed in vivo from P (n)/C (i) curves under field conditions declined more or earlier than those obtained in vitro. The degradation of polypeptides of thylakoid membranes was slower than those for P (Ca=360) (light-saturated net photosynthetic rate measured at 360 mumol mol(-1)) and CE (carboxylation efficiency, obtained from the initial slope of the P (n)/C (i) curve). The initial inhibition of the PSII electron transport and oxygen-evolving activity induced by senescence occurred before the degradation of the oxygen-evolving complex. In comparison, LYPJ had intermediate photosynthetic functions in the early stage of leaf development, but greater photochemical activities in the mid and late stages. WM9311 showed a similar pattern of changes but lower values, and PA64S had higher values in the early stage but showed a faster rate of senescence than LYPJ. These findings implied that the hybrid LYPJ demonstrated intermediate photosynthetic activities between its parents in the early stage of leaf development, whereas it had higher photosynthetic activities than its parents in the mid and late stages, which may be responsible for its high yield.

The C677T mutation in the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene increases serum uric acid in elderly men

A common mutation, C677T, in the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) reduces the activity of MTHFR and increases total homocysteine levels in plasma. Increased homocysteine levels are reportedly associated with high serum uric acid levels. The relationship between the MTHFR mutation and uric acid metabolism remains unclear, however. To investigate whether the C677T MTHFR mutation is a risk factor for hyperuricemia, we performed MTHFR genotyping and clinical laboratory determinations, including serum uric acid, in 271 elderly Japanese men (age range, 40-79 years; mean, 52.6 years). The mean uric acid levels for the C/C, C/T, and T/T genotypes were 5.67, 6.00, and 6.39 mg/dl, respectively (P = 0.012). The T/T genotype was more frequent in subjects with high uric acid levels than in those with low uric acid levels (P = 0.038). These findings suggest that the C677T MTHFR mutation contributed to higher uric acid levels in subjects enrolled in this study. In conclusion, the mutation of the MTHFR gene may be a risk factor for hyperuricemia in elderly men.

Study on DNA polymorphism at D1S8 locus in Hebei Han population

OBJECTIVE

To study the polymorphism at D1S8 locus and to provide basic information for the construction of DNA fingerprint database and the application in forensic medicine.

METHODS

Minisatellite variant repeat-polymerase chain reaction (MVR-PCR) and polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis followed by silver staining were used to detect the variant repeat sequences at D1S8 locus of 240 unrelated individuals in Hebei Han population, and digital codes were obtained.

RESULTS

Each individual obtained about 30 digital codes, in which none of two unrelated individuals had the same code. The probability of identity of 30 digital codes was 3.55x10(-11). The percentages of three repeat units, a-type, t-type and o-type were 54.77%, 42.54% and 2.69% respectively. The heterozygosity (H) was 0.9837. The excluding probability of paternity(EPP) and polymorphism information content(PIC) were 0.9669 and 0.9833 respectively.

CONCLUSION

Because of its high polymorphic nature, D1S8 locus is a valuable marker for forensic identification and paternity testing.

C677T mutation of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene among the Korean infants in Seoul city

The missense mutation, C677T (Ala--->Val), in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, is related to hyperhomocysteinemia and is regarded as a risk factor for coronary artery disease and neural tube defects. The prevalence of this mutation was reported to differ among various ethnic groups, but there are few reports concerning Asian populations. We have investigated the frequencies of C677T mutation in 124 Korean infants (residents in Seoul city, Korea) and 115 Japanese adults (residents in Kobe city, Japan), and compared them with the reported data from other ethnic groups. The frequencies of the three genotypes in Koreans were as follows: C/C (wild homozygosity) 0.27, C/T (heterozygosity) 0.66, T/T (mutated homozygosity) 0.07, while those in Japanese were as follows: C/C 0.44, C/T 0.40, T/T 0.16. There was a marked difference in the genotype frequencies between the two populations (chi-square = 16.67, P = 0.0002), even though they are closely related in genetic background. The high C/T genotype frequency led to significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (chi-square = 17.35, P = 0.00003). Deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium has not been found in any other ethnic groups. The high frequency of C/T genotype may offer Koreans a selective advantage.

Nucleus taenia of the amygdala of birds: anatomical and functional studies in ring doves (Streptopelia risoria) and European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)

Nucleus taenia (Tn) in birds is a discrete component of a loosely defined archistriatal structure, the posterior and medial archistriatum. By virtue of its hypothalamic projections, the posterior and medial archistriatum is thought to be an avian homolog of the amygdala in mammals. A recent fluorogold (FG) study of avian hippocampus revealed backfilled labels in nucleus Tn, suggesting that this nucleus may indeed be the homolog of mammalian amygdala. In the present study, we sought to characterize nucleus Tn in terms of its connections and function. We used the anterograde tracers Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHAL) and biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) to map the efferent projections of Tn. The retrograde tracers FG and BDA were used to corroborate the efferent projections and to explore the pattern of afferent inputs to Tn. Finally, we explored the role of Tn in social behavior by observing behavioral changes associated with electrolytic lesions to Tn. The subjects of our studies were ring doves and European starlings, representing two avian orders. When a deposit of anterograde tracer was centered in Tn, it revealed projections to the hypothalamus, following the course of the hypothalamic-occipitomesencephalic tract previously reported in pigeons. The projections were bilateral in ring doves and ipsilateral in starlings. The BDA injections in the archistratum intermedium, lateral to Tn, did not yield the same projectional pattern. Together with corroborative data from FG retrograde experiments, these findings suggest that Tn is probably the primary origin of the hypothalamic projection. A robust projection to the hyperstriatal region was present along the lateral wall of the lateral ventricle, continuing into the anteroventral pole of the ventricle. Highly arborized terminal fields were found all along this pathway, notably in the medial parolfactory lobe (corresponding to the basal ganglia) and along the dorsal roof of the rostral hyperstriatum ventrale just ventral to the laminal frontalis superior (in ring doves) and the lamina frontalis suprema (in starlings). Projections to the hippocampal complex were mostly restricted to the parahippocampus. The FG data suggest the presence of afferent projections from the ovoidais shell and nucleus subrotundus region, the hippocampal complex in both species, and high vocal nucleus in starlings. Behavioral effects of Tn lesions suggest that nucleus taenia is involved in the control of social behavior through its influence on the affective state. Nucleus taenia thus exhibits many of the structural and functional features of the amygdaloid complex in mammals - that is, subcortical sensory inputs, hippocampal complex connections, and a functional role in adaptive patterns of social behavior.

Neurogenesis in juvenile and adult ring doves

Studies in songbirds suggest that neurogenesis during the first few years of life is related to song learning. In this study, we examined whether postnatal neurogenesis occurs in a nonsongbird, the ring dove (Streptoplia risoria), and whether it persists to old age. Twenty-four hours after a single intramuscular injection of [3H]thymidine, labeled cells were present in the brains, particularly in the lateral wall of the lateral ventricle of juvenile (3-month and 8-month) and adult (1-year to 8-year) doves. Two months after multiple [3H]thymidine injections, there were fewer labeled cells in the ventricular zone (VZ), but many labeled cells with neuronal morphology in the parenchyma of the forebrain; labeled cells were confirmed as neurons by using neuron-specific markers, microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2) and anti-neuronal nucleus (NeuN). In general, new neurons were distributed in the forebrain without clustering in any particular nucleus. During the first year of life, however, neostriatum caudale and hyperstriatum, the regions known to be essential for proper integration of sensory cues and reproductive behavior, contained more new neurons than any other brain regions. These neuronal additions showed an age-related decline; the first reduction coincided with the dove's attainment of adult physical size (about 3 months old) and the second occurred when the dove would normally attain reproductive fitness (about 1 year old). A low level of forebrain neurogenesis persisted up to 8 years of age (the oldest animals studied). These observations suggest that neurogenesis in adulthood is widespread among birds but that the biological significance of adult neurogenesis in the ring dove remains to be determined.

Proposed pathways for vocal self-stimulation: met-enkephalinergic projections linking the midbrain vocal nucleus, auditory-responsive thalamic regions and neurosecretory hypothalamus

In this study, we have investigated the neuroanatomical pathways that may underlie the influence of a female bird's vocal behavior upon her own reproductive endocrine response. We traced the ascending efferent projections of the midbrain vocal control nucleus, the intercollicularis (ICo), using an anterograde tracer, PHAL, delivered by iontophoretic application. We found labelled terminal fields in the anterior regions of the hypothalamus that contained luteinizing hormone releasing hormone- (LHRH) immunoreactive neurons. We injected into the LHRH-rich anterior medial hypothalamus (AM) the retrograde tracer, fluoro-gold, to verify the results of PHAL anterograde tracing and examine whether retrogradely labelled neurons in the ICo can be stained with met-enkephalin antiserum by the immunohistochemical method. Of the retrogradely labelled neurons in the medial division of ICo (mICo), between 5% and 15% were found to be met-enkephalin-immunoreactive positive perikarya. Our data suggest that axonal projections into the anterior medial hypothalamus may arise in part from enkephalin-immunoreactive neurons in the medial ICo. The mICo neurons distributed along the medial border of the midbrain auditory nucleus give rise to projections into the posterior medial hypothalamus (PMH) via synapses within the shell region of thalamic auditory nucleus, ovoidalis (Ov). We conclude that in the ring dove, the medial division of the vocal control nucleus, by virtue of its connection with the auditory thalamus and neurosecretory hypothalamus, is in a position to exert influence on endocrine response partly through enkephalinergic systems. Implications of similar connections in other species are discussed.

Social condition affects the courtship behavior of male ring doves with posterior medial hypothalamic lesions

Following bilateral lesions to the posterior medial hypothalamus (homologue of the mammalian ventromedial nucleus), adult male ring doves regain full courtship behavior and the ability to stimulate female egg-laying when housed continuously with females. Males with PMH lesions housed singly and only tested periodically with females continue to show deficits in courtship. These findings suggest that the social environment present in adulthood itself can directly influence recovery from brain lesions. They also demonstrate the importance of PMH in the mediation of male ring dove courtship behavior.

Influence of protein binding on the metabolic clearance rate of synthetic progestins in the rat liver perfusion model

Levonorgestrel (LN), 3-Keto-desogestrel (KDG), norethisterone (NET), and gestodene (GST) were investigated in the recirculating rat liver perfusion model. Progestins were dissolved in buffered salt solution (MI), BSA containing (MII) or HSA and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) containing medium (MIII) at a concentration of about 60 ng/ml. Each 3-5 female rat livers were perfused with MI, MII, and MIII for 1 h. Perfusion medium, liver biopsies and total bile were analyzed for progestin levels by specific radioimmunoassays. Protein binding characteristics were determined in media and tissue. In all experiments bile (remaining liver) contained less than 1% (3%) of respective progestin dose demonstrating an almost complete biotransformation of all drugs by rat livers, irrespective of used medium. With MI, metabolic clearance rates (MCRs) and half-lives (t1/2) were not different for the four progestins. With MII, the actual progestin levels were generally higher than with MI, but half-lives were not changed. MCRs were close to the perfusion rate at the start of experiments but decreased to about 50%. MCRs of free and total drug levels were identical. Protein binding of 70-80% did not change with time. With MIII, the half-lives increased 1.5 fold (NET), 2.8 fold (KDG), 3.1 fold (GST) and 3.2 fold (LN) and MCRs accounted for 50-70% of perfusion rate at the beginning. The time courses of further MCR decreases were different for the various progestins and can be attributed to differences in specific binding of drugs to SHBG. Clearly, the presence of SHBG in MIII induced a shift of drug from liver tissue into the perfusion medium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)