Controlling bacteriological contamination of environmental surfaces at the biological isolation and containment unit of a veterinary teaching hospital

Background

The Biological Isolation and Containment Unit (BICU) is a subunit of the Teaching Hospital of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Lisbon, Portugal, for the admission of animals with confirmed infectious diseases or under clinical suspicion and waiting for a diagnosis. As a high-risk environment for the transmission of infectious agents, it is extremely important to implement programs for the surveillance of nosocomial microorganisms in these facilities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of bacterial contamination of the BICU environmental surfaces and to implement corrective actions on disinfection protocols. Swab samples were collected from selected environmental surfaces in 3 different areas of the BICU (isolation, work, and preparatory rooms) to evaluate the total aerobic bacterial load and investigate the presence of 4 nosocomial microorganisms: vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp., methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, 3rd-generation cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli, and carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Bacterial quantification was performed by using non-selective media, while specific selective media were used for the isolation of the target microorganisms. Isolates were identified based on their macro and microscopic characteristics and their biochemical profile. Subsequently, new disinfection protocols were implemented, and their effectiveness evaluated.

Results

The surfaces with the highest bacterial load in the isolation, preparatory, and worker’s rooms were the cages, hand-held sponge, and telephone, respectively. Regarding the 4 pathogens investigated, Enterococcus spp. were the most frequently isolated (11.3%), followed by E. coli (1.5%) and P. aeruginosa (1.5%). One of the P. aeruginosa isolates obtained was resistant to imipenem. In the end, new disinfection protocols were implemented, which proved to be effective in reducing bacterial counts by 99.99% in cages and the sponge, and by 90 to 99% on the telephone.

Conclusions

This study allows to conclude that the cages and the human contact surfaces were the most contaminated in the isolation rooms. Nevertheless, the new disinfection strategies seemed to be effective in reducing environmental contamination, including by some potentially nosocomial agents, although more samples must be analyzed for definitive conclusions. These results may contribute to highlight the importance of infection prevention and control measures, as fundamental tools to reduce the spread of infectious agents in the hospital environment.

Quality of life in chronic pain patients: Illness- and wellness-focused coping as moderators

Chronic pain is a health problem that significantly influences patients' lives, causing functional, social, socioeconomic, and emotional changes that impact quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to evaluate which variables (e.g., psychological morbidity, illness representations, pain, and coping) contribute to QoL and to analyse the moderating role of illness- and wellness-focused coping in the relationship between pain interference and Qol, in chronic pain patients. A sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Chronic Pain Coping Inventory, the Short Form Health Survey, and the Brief Pain Inventory were completed by 103 patients with chronic pain. Greater use of wellness-focused coping and being professionally active were associated with better physical QoL. Cognitive representations and illness-focused coping contributed to physical QoL, and psychological morbidity contributed to mental QoL. Illness-focused coping and wellness-focused coping moderated the relationship between pain interference and physical QoL, but not with mental QoL. Since pain interference was positively related to psychological morbidity, and the latter was negatively related to QoL, it is extremely important to evaluate and promote patients' coping strategies that are focused on well-being to improve QoL. Results from this study underline the relevance of a multidisciplinary approach to chronic pain and the need to account for psychological morbidity and coping strategies in intervention programs to promote QoL in chronic pain patients.

Canine parvovirus: a predicting canine model for sepsis

BACKGROUND

Sepsis is a severe condition associated with high prevalence and mortality rates. Parvovirus enteritis is a predisposing factor for sepsis, as it promotes intestinal bacterial translocation and severe immunosuppression. This makes dogs infected by parvovirus a suitable study population as far as sepsis is concerned. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the differences between two sets of SIRS (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome) criteria in outcome prediction: SIRS 1991 and SIRS 2001. The possibility of stratifying and classifying septic dogs was assessed using a proposed animal adapted PIRO (Predisposition, Infection, Response and Organ dysfunction) scoring system.

RESULTS

The 72 dogs enrolled in this study were scored for each of the PIRO elements, except for Infection, as all were considered to have the same infection score, and subjected to two sets of SIRS criteria, in order to measure their correlation with the outcome. Concerning SIRS criteria, it was found that the proposed alterations on SIRS 2001 (capillary refill time or mucous membrane colour alteration) were significantly associated with the outcome (OR = 4.09, p < 0.05), contrasting with the 1991 SIRS criteria (p = 0.352) that did not correlate with the outcome. No significant statistical association was found between Predisposition (p = 1), Response (p = 0.1135), Organ dysfunction (p = 0.1135), total PIRO score (p = 0.093) and outcome. To explore the possibility of using the SIRS criteria as a fast decision-making tool, a Fast-and-Frugal tree (FFT) was created with a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 29%.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that increasing the SIRS criteria specificity may improve their prognostic value and their clinical usefulness. In order to improve the proposed PIRO scoring system outcome prediction ability, more specific criteria should be added, mainly inflammatory and organ dysfunction biomarkers.

Digging deeper in the proteome of different regions from schizophrenia brains

Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder that affects 21 million people worldwide. Despite several studies having been shown that some brain regions may play a critical role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, the molecular basis to explain this diversity is still lacking. The cerebellum (CER), caudate nucleus (CAU), and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) are areas associated with negative and cognitive symptoms in schizophrenia. In this study, we performed shotgun proteomics of the aforementioned brain regions, collected postmortem from patients with schizophrenia and compared with the mentally healthy group. In addition, we performed a proteomic analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial fractions of these same regions. Our results presented 106, 727 and 135 differentially regulated proteins in the CAU, PCC, and CER, respectively. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed dysfunctions associated with synaptic processes in the CAU, transport in the CER, and in energy metabolism in the PCC. In all brain areas, we found that proteins related to oligodendrocytes and the metabolic processes were dysregulated in schizophrenia. SIGNIFICANCE: Schizophrenia is a complex and heterogeneous psychiatric disorder. Despite much research having been done to increase the knowledge about the role of each region in the pathophysiology of this disorder, the molecular mechanisms underlying it are still lacking. We performed shotgun proteomics in the postmortem cerebellum (CER), caudate nucleus (CAU) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) from patients with schizophrenia and compared with healthy controls. Our findings suggest that each aforementioned region presents dysregulations in specific molecular pathways, such as energy metabolism in the PCC, transport in the CER, and synaptic process in the CAU. Additionally, these areas presented dysfunctions in oligodendrocytes and metabolic processes. Our results may highlight future directions for the development of novel clinical approaches for specific therapeutic targets.

Influence of disease phase on embitterment and emotional dysregulation in psoriatic patients

This study aimed to evaluate the psychosocial differences between patients with psoriasis in different phases of the disease. Seventy-one patients in exacerbation and 83 in remission were evaluated regarding sociodemographic, clinical and psychological variables, on the premise that the visibility of lesions (exacerbation phase) may impact the emotional regulation and embitterment. A regression analysis was performed to identify the variables that contribute to explain embitterment: a diagnosis of anxiety and/or depression and psoriasis severity are the identified ones. The results point to higher values of emotional dysregulation and embitterment, as well as more critical clinical variables in patients with active disease, namely, alcohol and coffee consumption, smoking and less satisfaction with current treatment, more diagnoses and more family history of anxiety and depression, more psychology/psychiatry consultations and more use of anxiolytics and antidepressants. However, only the results referring to alcohol consumption and embitterment are significantly higher in subjects in the exacerbation phase of the disease. Particular clinical attention should be provided to patients in exacerbation phase regarding psychotherapeutic approach.

Mechanical Properties of Topical Anti-Psoriatic Medicines: Implications for Patient Satisfaction with Treatment

Different types of topical preparations are available as anti-psoriatic medicines, semisolid formulations being the preferred dosage forms for the treatment of body lesions. The mechanical characterization of these semisolid formulations is seldom reported, although mechanical features have been recognized to play an important role in treatment acceptability and adherence. The aim of this study was to characterize the mechanical properties of semisolid topical formulations commercially available for psoriasis treatment. One complementary aim was to evaluate patient satisfaction with topical treatment and discuss the results according to the mechanical features of the dosage form. Eight ointments (O 1-8), five creams (C 1-5), one oleogel (G1), and one excipient (E1-petrolatum) were characterized for textural properties (spreadability and penetration tests) and flow behavior. Power law model was fitted to the results. A questionnaire for the assessment of satisfaction with topical medicines used for psoriasis treatment over 6 months was developed and applied to 79 psoriasis patients. All the tested formulations presented a shear-thinning behavior with power law indexes (n) lower than 1. Ointments were distinct from the other dosage forms, since they presented higher consistency coefficients (K), firmness, and adhesiveness and this was evidenced by hierarchical cluster analysis, which identified two clusters based on the mechanical properties. Cluster 1 included the ointments and petrolatum and the cluster 2 enclosed the creams and the gel. The clusters were associated with several attributes classified by patients as analyzed with Fisher's exact test. In all cases, higher satisfaction was observed for cluster 2. The knowledge obtained regarding the influence of the dosage form on the degree of satisfaction with the treatment could be helpful in supporting the selection of the dosage form in clinical practice and thus improve treatment adherence and clinical outcomes. The differences observed between the mechanical properties of the formulations studied may be also relevant to the industry, as guidance to the development of new medicines.

Patient preferences for attributes of topical anti-psoriatic medicines

Background: Patient preferences should be considered when prescribing topical treatments to drive up adherence and improve clinical outcomes. Objective: The aim of this work was to identify the most important attributes of topical medicines for psoriasis treatment in the patients' view, and explore the sociodemographic and clinical determinants of these preferences. Methods: A questionnaire for the evaluation of the relevancy given to specific attributes of topical medicines used for psoriasis treatment was developed (PSO-TOPAP) and was applied to a total of seventy-nine patients, members of the Portuguese Association of Psoriasis (PSOPortugal) or outpatients of a dermatology unit of a central hospital. Results: Overall, attributes belonging to the formulation and application domains were greatly valued over attributes related to the container. Only a small number of patient preferences was influenced by age, gender, duration of the disease and age at first diagnosis. Limitations: Our findings need to be verified in larger and more diverse patient samples before generalization can be made. Conclusion: The insight obtained in this work can provide guidance to pharmaceutical drug product design and has also the potential to improve patient care through the acknowledgment of patient preferences in clinical practice.

Cannabidiol Administered During Peri-Adolescence Prevents Behavioral Abnormalities in an Animal Model of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is considered a debilitating neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorder and its pharmacotherapy remains problematic without recent major advances. The development of interventions able to prevent the emergence of schizophrenia would therefore represent an enormous progress. Here, we investigated whether treatment with cannabidiol (CBD - a compound of Cannabis sativa that presents an antipsychotic profile in animals and humans) during peri-adolescence would prevent schizophrenia-like behavioral abnormalities in an animal model of schizophrenia: the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) strain. Wistar rats and SHRs were treated with vehicle or CBD from 30 to 60 post-natal days. In experiment 1, schizophrenia-like behaviors (locomotor activity, social interaction, prepulse inhibition of startle and contextual fear conditioning) were assessed on post-natal day 90. Side effects commonly associated with antipsychotic treatment were also evaluated: body weight gain and catalepsy throughout the treatment, and oral dyskinesia 48 h after treatment interruption and on post-natal day 90. In experiment 2, serum levels of triglycerides and glycemia were assessed on post-natal day 61. In experiment 3, levels of BDNF, monoamines, and their metabolites were evaluated on post-natal days 61 and 90 in the prefrontal cortex and striatum. Treatment with CBD prevented the emergence of SHRs' hyperlocomotor activity (a model for the positive symptoms of schizophrenia) and deficits in prepulse inhibition of startle and contextual fear conditioning (cognitive impairments). CBD did not induce any of the potential motor or metabolic side effects evaluated. Treatment with CBD increased the prefrontal cortex 5-HIAA/serotonin ratio and the levels of 5-HIAA on post-natal days 61 and 90, respectively. Our data provide pre-clinical evidence for a safe and beneficial effect of peripubertal and treatment with CBD on preventing positive and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia, and suggest the involvement of the serotoninergic system on this effect.

Women generating narratives after an unwanted prenatal diagnosis result: randomized controlled trial

We have defined a psychological intervention based on cognitive narrative therapy and the Ottawa decision framework to reduce adjustment problems following a termination of pregnancy (TOP) after a positive prenatal diagnosis (PND). The intervention is composed of four sessions: decision, subjectivation, metaphorization, and projecting. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a cognitive narrative intervention to prevent depression and anxiety symptoms after TOP. The intervention was accepted by 24 participants. The outcome is compared with a control group of 67 women who also terminated a pregnancy after PND. Participants were from several Portuguese institutions; 64.4% had a genetic and 35.6% had ultrasound diagnosis; the mean age was 30.0 years and the mean gestational age was 19 weeks. There are two evaluations: a baseline at the 15th day and a sixth month follow-up after TOP, using Beck Depression Inventory, Zung Anxiety Scale, Perinatal Grief Scale, and an instrument capturing participant satisfaction. Six months after TOP, there is a lower mean of anxiety and depression (p < 0.05), between groups, with effect sizes on the follow-up of 0.54 for depression, 0.41 for anxiety, and 0.23 for perinatal grief. This intervention has very positive effects on women mental health, and we emphasize the importance of the meaning-making process in the context of terminating a wanted pregnancy.

Cannabidiol Prevents Motor and Cognitive Impairments Induced by Reserpine in Rats

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotomimetic compound from Cannabis sativa that presents antipsychotic, anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. In Parkinson's disease patients, CBD is able to attenuate the psychotic symptoms induced by L-DOPA and to improve quality of life. Repeated administration of reserpine in rodents induces motor impairments that are accompanied by cognitive deficits, and has been applied to model both tardive dyskinesia and Parkinson's disease. The present study investigated whether CBD administration would attenuate reserpine-induced motor and cognitive impairments in rats. Male Wistar rats received four injections of CBD (0.5 or 5 mg/kg) or vehicle (days 2-5). On days 3 and 5, animals received also one injection of 1 mg/kg reserpine or vehicle. Locomotor activity, vacuous chewing movements, and catalepsy were assessed from day 1 to day 7. On days 8 and 9, we evaluated animals' performance on the plus-maze discriminative avoidance task, for learning/memory assessment. CBD (0.5 and 5 mg/kg) attenuated the increase in catalepsy behavior and in oral movements - but not the decrease in locomotion - induced by reserpine. CBD (0.5 mg/kg) also ameliorated the reserpine-induced memory deficit in the discriminative avoidance task. Our data show that CBD is able to attenuate motor and cognitive impairments induced by reserpine, suggesting the use of this compound in the pharmacotherapy of Parkinson's disease and tardive dyskinesia.

Cannabidiol, among Other Cannabinoid Drugs, Modulates Prepulse Inhibition of Startle in the SHR Animal Model: Implications for Schizophrenia Pharmacotherapy

Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder that involves positive, negative and cognitive symptoms. Prepulse inhibition of startle reflex (PPI) is a paradigm that assesses the sensorimotor gating functioning and is impaired in schizophrenia patients as well as in animal models of this disorder. Recent data point to the participation of the endocannabinoid system in the pathophysiology and pharmacotherapy of schizophrenia. Here, we focus on the effects of cannabinoid drugs on the PPI deficit of animal models of schizophrenia, with greater focus on the SHR (Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats) strain, and on the future prospects resulting from these findings.

Note. Effect of Blanching and Frozen Storage on the Stability of β-Carotene and Capsanthin in Red Pepper (Capsicum Annuum) Fruit

The effect of blanching and frozen storage on the stability of pigments β-carotene and capsanthin in three cultivars of red pepper (Capsicum annuum) fruits was elucidated by the determination of pigments in samples treated by various blanching procedures. Pigment concentration was performed after different storage times by HPLC. The dependence of the concentration of pigments on the conditions of blanching and the storage time was assessed by stepwise regression analysis, and the similarities and dissimilarities among the cultivars and decomposition rates were calculated by principal component analysis. The stability of pigments depended significantly on the conditions of blanching, the storage time and the type of cultivar, the effect of storage time was higher than that of blanching conditions. The significant differences between the decomposition rate of pigments in various cultivars emphasizes the predominant importance of the selection of cultivars with advantageous storage characteristics.

B-mode and Doppler sonography of the mammary glands in dairy goats for mastitis diagnosis

This study aimed to evaluate the sonographic characteristics of the udder and teats and to determine the Doppler indexes of mammary artery in healthy and undergoing subclinical and clinical mastitis goats. Thirty animals among Saanen and Alpine Brown goats were arranged in three groups, healthy goats (HG), goats with subclinical mastitis (SMG) and goats with clinical mastitis (CMG). Using the B-mode, the sonographic characteristics (echotexture and echogenicity) and biometry (diameter and area of the udder cistern, diameter and area of the teat cistern and thickness of the teat wall) were evaluated. Using Doppler ultrasonography, the vascular indexes of the mammary artery were obtained. It was observed hyperechogenicity with solid component in the gland cistern when comparing animals with clinical mastitis and healthy mammary tissue. Regarding the echotexture of the breast tissue, there was heterogeneity in the mammary parenchyma on the three groups, for the milk, it was observed homogeneity for animals on HG and SMG and heterogeneity for animals on CMG. Grey-scale quantitative assessment revealed increase in echogenicity (mean value) for all the structures when comparing the three groups. Biometry did not reveal statistical difference between groups, for none of the evaluated structures. Doppler examination of the mammary artery showed the decrease of end diastolic velocity and raise of pulsatility index between groups. The association of B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography is useful for the evaluation of the udder of dairy goats with mastitis. It is a sensitive and specific method for the study of this disease. Doppler mode was unable to establish reliable criteria for diagnosis of subclinical mastitis. Moreover, the quantification of echogenicity is a useful technique for the evaluation of the milk in animals with mastitis; therefore, it is suggested that it can be used as complementary technique for the diagnosis of mastitis in goats.

Effects of cannabinoid and vanilloid drugs on positive and negative-like symptoms on an animal model of schizophrenia: the SHR strain

Studies have suggested that the endocannabinoid system is implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. We have recently reported that Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHRs) present a deficit in social interaction that is ameliorated by atypical antipsychotics. In addition, SHRs display hyperlocomotion - reverted by atypical and typical antipsychotics. These results suggest that this strain could be useful to study negative symptoms (modeled by a decrease in social interaction) and positive symptoms (modeled by hyperlocomotion) of schizophrenia and the effects of potential drugs with an antipsychotic profile. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of WIN55-212,2 (CB1/CB2 agonist), ACEA (CB1 agonist), rimonabant (CB1 inverse agonist), AM404 (anandamide uptake/metabolism inhibitor), capsaicin (agonist TRPV1) and capsazepine (antagonist TRPV1) on the social interaction and locomotion of control animals (Wistar rats) and SHRs. The treatment with rimonabant was not able to alter either the social interaction or the locomotion presented by Wistar rats (WR) and SHR at any dose tested. The treatment with WIN55-212,2 decreased locomotion (1mg/kg) and social interaction (0.1 and 0.3mg/kg) of WR, while the dose of 1mg/kg increased social interaction of SHR. The treatment with ACEA increased (0.3mg/kg) and decreased (1mg/kg) locomotion of both strain. The administration of AM404 increased social interaction and decreased locomotion of SHR (5mg/kg), and decreased social interaction and increased locomotion in WR (1mg/kg). The treatment with capsaicin (2.5mg/kg) increased social interaction of both strain and decreased locomotion of SHR (2.5mg/kg) and WR (0.5mg/kg and 2.5mg/kg). In addition, capsazepine (5mg/kg) decreased locomotion of both strains and increased (5mg/kg) and decreased (10mg/kg) social interaction of WR. Our results indicate that the schizophrenia-like behaviors displayed by SHR are differently altered by cannabinoid and vanilloid drugs when compared to control animals and suggest the endocannabinoid and the vanilloid systems as a potential target for the treatment of schizophrenia.

Effects of cannabinoid drugs on the deficit of prepulse inhibition of startle in an animal model of schizophrenia: the SHR strain

Clinical and neurobiological findings suggest that the cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system may be implicated in the pathophysiology and treatment of schizophrenia. We described that the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) strain presents a schizophrenia behavioral phenotype that is specifically attenuated by antipsychotic drugs, and potentiated by proschizophrenia manipulations. Based on these findings, we have suggested this strain as an animal model of schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cannabinoid drugs on the deficit of prepulse inhibition (PPI) of startle, the main paradigm used to study sensorimotor gating impairment related to schizophrenia, presented by the SHR strain. The following drugs were used: (1) WIN55212,2 (cannabinoid agonist), (2) rimonabant (CB1 antagonist), (3) AM404 (anandamide uptake inhibitor), and (4) cannabidiol (CBD; indirect CB1/CB2 receptor antagonist, among other effects). Wistar rats (WRs) and SHRs were treated with vehicle (VEH) or different doses of WIN55212 (0.3, 1, or 3 mg/kg), rimonabant (0.75, 1.5, or 3 mg/kg), AM404 (1, 5, or 10 mg/kg), or CBD (15, 30, or 60 mg/kg). VEH-treated SHRs showed a decreased PPI when compared to WRs. This PPI deficit was reversed by 1 mg/kg WIN and 30 mg/kg CBD. Conversely, 0.75 mg/kg rimonabant decreased PPI in SHR strain, whereas AM404 did not modify it. Our results reinforce the role of the endocannabinoid system in the sensorimotor gating impairment related to schizophrenia, and point to cannabinoid drugs as potential therapeutic strategies.

Cannabidiol exhibits anxiolytic but not antipsychotic property evaluated in the social interaction test

Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotomimetic compound of the Cannabis sativa, has been reported to have central therapeutic actions, such as antipsychotic and anxiolytic effects. We have recently reported that Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHRs) present a deficit in social interaction that is ameliorated by atypical antipsychotics. In addition, SHRs present a hyperlocomotion that is reverted by typical and atypical antipsychotics, suggesting that this strain could be useful to study negative symptoms (modeled by a decrease in social interaction) and positive symptoms (modeled by hyperlocomotion) of schizophrenia as well as the effects of potential antipsychotics drugs. At the same time, an increase in social interaction in control animals similar to that induced by benzodiazepines is used to screen potential anxiolytic drugs. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of CBD on social interaction presented by control animals (Wistar) and SHRs. The lowest dose of CBD (1mg/kg) increased passive and total social interaction of Wistar rats. However, the hyperlocomotion and the deficit in social interaction displayed by SHRs were not altered by any dose of CBD. Our results do not support an antipsychotic property of cannabidiol on symptoms-like behaviors in SHRs but reinforce the anxiolytic profile of this compound in control rats.

Effects of antipsychotics and amphetamine on social behaviors in spontaneously hypertensive rats

We have recently reported that spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) exhibit a deficit in contextual fear conditioning that is specifically reversed by antipsychotic and potentiated by psychostimulants and other manipulations thought to produce schizophrenia-like states in rodents. Based on these findings, we suggested that this deficit in fear conditioning could be used as an experimental model of emotional processing impairments observed in schizophrenia. This strain has also been suggested as a model by which to study attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Considering that schizophrenia and ADHD are both characterized by poor social function, this study aimed to investigate possible behavioral deficits of SHRs in a social context. Furthermore, we sought to examine the effects of typical and atypical antipsychotics (used for the treatment of schizophrenia) and a psychostimulant (used to treat ADHD) on these behaviors. Pairs of unfamiliar rats of the same or different (i.e., Wistar) strains were treated with one of the aforementioned drugs and placed in an open-field for 10min. During this time, social behaviors, locomotion and rearing frequencies were scored. Atypical antipsychotics increased social interaction in Wistar rats (WRs) and improved the deficit in social interaction exhibited by SHRs. In addition, the SHR group displayed hyperlocomotion that was attenuated by all antipsychotics (quetiapine and clozapine also decreased locomotion in WRs) and potentiated by amphetamine (which also increased locomotion in WRs). Our results reveal that the behavioral profile of the SHR group demonstrates that this strain can be a useful animal model to study several aspects of schizophrenia.

Exigências de proteína bruta e energia metabolizável em codornas de corte durante a fase de crescimento

Estudou-se a exigência de proteína bruta e energia metabolizável para codornas européias em crescimento, em cinco períodos experimentais, de sete dias cada. Foram utilizadas 384 codornas de ambos os sexos, com sete dias de idade em delineamento experimental utilizado inteiramente ao acaso, em esquema fatorial de 2×4, dois níveis de energia (2900 e 3100kcal de EM/kg de ração) e quatro níveis de proteína (22, 24, 26 e 28% de PB), com seis repetições de oito animais cada. Foram estudadas as variáveis ganho de peso (g), peso acumulado (g), consumo de ração (g) e conversão alimentar (g de ração/g de peso). Observou-se efeito linear dos níveis de proteína no primeiro período e quadrático nos demais períodos sobre o ganho de peso das aves. Os níveis de proteína foram estimados em 28,0% (2900kcal de EM/kg), 25,7% (3100kcal de EM/kg), 27,9%, 24,8% (3100kcal de EM/kg) e 23,1% (2900kcal de EM/kg) para o segundo, terceiro, quarto e quinto período, respectivamente.

Exigência de metionina + cistina total para codornas de corte em crescimento

Estudou-se a exigência de metionina + cistina total para codornas de corte em crescimento durante os períodos inicial (sete a 21 dias) e final (22 a 42 dias de idade). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com cinco repetições de 13 codornas por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos consistiram de seis níveis de metionina + cistina total (0,73; 0,79; 0,85; 0,91; 0,97 e 1,03%). Foram estudadas as variáveis: ganho de peso (g), peso final no período (g), consumo de dieta (g) e conversão alimentar (g de dieta/g de peso). As respostas de desempenho foram obtidas por meio de modelos de regressão linear e quadrática. Codornas de corte alimentadas com dietas contendo 0,95% de metionina + cistina total no período inicial (sete a 21 dias) e 0,73% de metionina + cistina total no período final (22 a 42 dias) de criação obtêm máximo ganho de peso.

Poncet's disease and papulonecrotic tuberculid in a patient infected with the human immunodeficiency virus

We report the case of a 27-year-old patient with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who presented with a 2-week history of crops of painful, red papules over the trunk and extremities, together with a sterile, symmetric polyarthritis involving the small and large joints. Histologic study of a skin biopsy specimen demonstrated features of papulonecrotic tuberculid. Analytical and microbiologic studies ruled out tuberculous infection. Both the synovial and the skin processes were considered to be an immune response secondary to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Specific treatment was established, and there was marked improvement in both the skin and joint symptoms. This case illustrates the complex relationship between the host and the HIV, suggesting an immune dysregulation cause for both the synovial and the skin lesions.

[Iliac bone for secondary grafting in residual alveolar clefts]

Iliac cancellous bone has proven efficacy as a bone-graft donor. This study analyses the success of iliac bone autografts in secondary alveolar clefts. The study group was 30 patients with clefts with complete clinical charts and occlusal radiographs with surgery did in Cleft Unit Temuco Regional Hospital (Chile) between 1990-1996. The quality of graft "take" was measured radiologically and clinically. The results were named "excelent-good-regular-bad" and were studied by statistic methods. We did not find complications in donor site. We only had two partial dehiscences in recipient site. In 29 grafts, we feel "bone consistence" in clinical examination. We had one "nontake" graft. 80% of alveolar bone grafts showed similar bone density with respect normal bone. 80% of same grafts had similar height of interdental septum. We had 22 cases with "good result" and 3 cases with "regular result". All of them statistically significant. In our experience, iliac bone graft for alveolar clefts is a good technique for this difficult problem.

Pregnancy and birth after intracytoplasmic sperm injection with totally immotile sperm recovered from the ejaculate

OBJECTIVE

To report the birth of two healthy children after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with totally immotile spermatozoa recovered from the ejaculate.

DESIGN

Retrospective case report.

SETTING

University-based hospital.

PATIENT(S)

Four couples in whom spermatozoa recovered from the ejaculate were totally immotile but presented normal vitality scores.

INTERVENTION(S)

Therapeutical IVF-ET attempts coupled with ICSI.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Fertilization and pregnancy results after ICSI.

RESULTS

With random sperm injection, 19 of the 36 injected oocytes showed normal fertilization and cleavage. One of four patients had a twin pregnancy that resulted in birth of two healthy children.

CONCLUSION(S)

In cases in which totally immotile ejaculated sperm present normal vitality scores, normal clinical outcomes can be achieved by using the usual random sperm selection during conventional ICSI.

Aging, hyaluronidase removal of the cumulus, and microinjection do not affect the sperm binding potential of human oocytes

PURPOSE

We studied the influence of aging, hyaluronidase removal of the cumulus, and microinjection on the sperm binding potential of human oocytes under intact zona assay conditions to determine the safe use of unstored aged unfertilized ICSI oocytes on zona binding tests. Results were also compared with those for aged IVF oocytes under the same conditions.

METHODS

To avoid the large variation in sperm binding scores, we compared the ratios of the number of sperm bound to nontreated versus to treated oocytes. Treated oocytes were those whose zonae were exposed to hyaluronidase, an agent that decreases sperm binding. Experimental groups were fresh oocytes, experimentally aged fresh oocytes, fresh oocytes whose cumulus was removed either mechanically or with hyaluronidase, aged ICSI oocytes, and aged IVF oocytes.

RESULTS

Statistical analysis within and between groups showed that aging, previous insemination, cumulus removal by hyaluronidase, and microinjection did not affect the sperm binding potential of human oocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

As the zona binding ability of fresh and unfertilized aged ICSI oocytes is similar, they can be used safely in zona assays.