RESUMEN
The insular cortex (IC) is notably implicated in emotional and cognitive processing; however, little is known regarding to what extent its two main subregions play functionally distinct roles on memory consolidation of conditioned fear tasks. Here we verified the effects of temporary functional inactivation of the anterior (aIC) and posterior IC (pIC) on contextual and tone fear memory. Rats received post-training bilateral infusions of the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol into either the aIC or pIC and were tested 48 and 72 h after the delay tone fear conditioning session to assess the background contextual (CFC) and tone (TFC) fear conditioning, respectively. Inactivation of the aIC during memory consolidation did not affect fear memory for CFC or TFC. On the other hand, post-training inactivation of the pIC impaired TFC but not CFC. Our findings indicate that the pIC is a necessary part of the neural circuitry related to the consolidation of cued-fear memories.
Asunto(s)
Corteza Cerebral/fisiología , Condicionamiento Clásico/fisiología , Miedo , Consolidación de la Memoria/fisiología , Estimulación Acústica , Animales , Corteza Cerebral/efectos de los fármacos , Condicionamiento Clásico/efectos de los fármacos , Agonistas de Receptores de GABA-A/farmacología , Consolidación de la Memoria/efectos de los fármacos , Muscimol/farmacología , RatasRESUMEN
This study reviewed the use of the Strengths and Weaknesses of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity-symptoms and Normal-behaviors (SWAN) rating scale in diagnostic and evolutive approaches to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and in correlational studies of the disorder. A review of articles published in indexed journals from electronic databases was conducted and 61 articles on the SWAN scale were analyzed. From these, 27 were selected to a) examine use of SWAN in research on attention disorders and b) verify evidence of its usefulness in the areas of genetics, neuropsychology, diagnostics, psychiatric comorbidities, neuroimaging, pharmacotherapy, and to examine its statistical reliability and validity in studies of diverse populations. This review of articles indicated a growing use of the SWAN scale for diagnostic purposes, for therapy, and in research on areas other than ADHD, especially when compared with other reliable scales. Use of the scale in ADHD diagnosis requires further statistical testing to define its psychometric properties.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/diagnóstico , Escala de Evaluación de la Conducta/normas , Evaluación de Síntomas/métodos , Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/epidemiología , Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/genética , Escala de Evaluación de la Conducta/estadística & datos numéricos , Comorbilidad , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Estudios de Validación como AsuntoRESUMEN
This study reviewed the use of the Strengths and Weaknesses of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity-symptoms and Normal-behaviors (SWAN) rating scale in diagnostic and evolutive approaches to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and in correlational studies of the disorder. A review of articles published in indexed journals from electronic databases was conducted and 61 articles on the SWAN scale were analyzed. From these, 27 were selected to a) examine use of SWAN in research on attention disorders and b) verify evidence of its usefulness in the areas of genetics, neuropsychology, diagnostics, psychiatric comorbidities, neuroimaging, pharmacotherapy, and to examine its statistical reliability and validity in studies of diverse populations. This review of articles indicated a growing use of the SWAN scale for diagnostic purposes, for therapy, and in research on areas other than ADHD, especially when compared with other reliable scales. Use of the scale in ADHD diagnosis requires further statistical testing to define its psychometric properties.
Asunto(s)
Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/diagnóstico , Escala de Evaluación de la Conducta/normas , Evaluación de Síntomas/métodos , Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/epidemiología , Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/genética , Escala de Evaluación de la Conducta/estadística & datos numéricos , Comorbilidad , Humanos , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Estudios de Validación como AsuntoRESUMEN
Lophine and four of its derivatives were used as activators (ACTs) of the chemiluminescent peroxyoxalate (PO) reaction of bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)oxalate with H2O2, catalysed by imidazole. Kinetic emission assays have shown that with the tested compounds the reaction mechanism, regarding the formation of the high energy intermediate (HEI) of the PO reaction, occurs as previously seen for commonly used ACTs. A bimolecular interaction of the compounds with the HEI leads to chemiexcitation through the chemically initiated electron exchange luminescence (CIEEL) mechanism, as confirmed by a linear free-energy correlation between the relative catalytic rate constants and the oxidation potentials of the compounds. The yields of excited state formation and light emission, in the range of 10(-2)-10(-3) E mol(-1), are comparable to the ones seen with commonly used ACTs. A Hammett plot with ρ = -0.90 indicates the buildup of a partial positive charge on the transition step of the catalytic process, consistent with the formation of a radical cation of the ACT, being an additional validation of the CIEEL mechanism in this system.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Rotavirus is an important aetiological agent for severe diarrhoea in infants and young children worldwide. Anti-rotavirus antibodies in human colostrum and milk may interfere with rotavirus vaccination seroconversion. AIMS: To verify the presence of anti-rotavirus secretory IgA antibodies (SIgA) and the neutralizing capacity of 30 colostrum and 30 milk samples from Brazilian women in two different centres and analyze their persistence throughout lactation. METHODS: Colostrum and milk samples from healthy nursing mothers were tested for the presence of anti-rotavirus SIgA using conventional ELISA and their capacity to neutralize rotavirus using MA-104 cell cultures. Total IgA concentrations and anti-rotavirus SIgA levels were measured in samples collected from three mothers during 90 or 240 days of the lactation period. RESULTS: Colostrum samples showed higher levels of anti-rotavirus SIgA and higher neutralizing ability than in milk. However, these antibodies levels were not statistically different. In addition, there was no correlation between antibody levels and the neutralizing activity observed in colostrum and milk samples. Follow-up of three mothers demonstrated the persistence of anti-rotavirus and total IgA levels throughout lactation. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the encouragement of breastfeeding as a mechanism of protection against rotavirus infection in lactating infants. Components other than SIgA antibodies might play an important role in virus neutralization.
Asunto(s)
Anticuerpos Neutralizantes/inmunología , Anticuerpos Antivirales/inmunología , Antígenos Virales/inmunología , Calostro/inmunología , Inmunoglobulina A Secretora/inmunología , Leche Humana/inmunología , Rotavirus/inmunología , Anticuerpos Neutralizantes/análisis , Anticuerpos Antivirales/análisis , Brasil , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Femenino , Humanos , Inmunoglobulina A Secretora/análisis , Pruebas de NeutralizaciónRESUMEN
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of serological markers for HIV-1/2, HBV, HCV, Treponema cruzi and T. pallidum infections. The association of these infections with risk factors in a population from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil was also analysed. Of the 780 enrolled individuals, 545 (70%) were female and 235 (30%) were male. Seroprevalence of 0·8% (6/702), 1·3% (9/678), 1·5% (10/684), 3·5% (23/663) and 11·5% (77/668) for HIV-1/2, HBV, HCV, T. cruzi and T. pallidum infections, respectively, was observed. The seroprevalence of T. pallidum was higher in males 20% (43/210) than in females 7% (34/458) (P < 0·01). An association between age and seroprevalence for T. cruzi (P = 0·02) and T. pallidum (P < 0·01) was observed. HBsAg was associated with having tattoos (3/37 vs. 6/623, P = 0·01) and not having a steady sexual partner (5/141 vs. 4/473, P = 0·04), while anti-HIV-1/2 was associated with having tattoos (2/39 vs. 4/647, P = 0·04); however, larger studies are needed to categorically state the relationship of these risk factors with infectious agents. The prevalence of serological markers for HIV-1/2, HBV, HCV and T. cruzi was consistent with other studies.
Asunto(s)
Patógenos Transmitidos por la Sangre/aislamiento & purificación , Infecciones por VIH/epidemiología , Hepatitis B/epidemiología , Hepatitis C/epidemiología , Infecciones por Treponema/epidemiología , Adolescente , Adulto , Factores de Edad , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Brasil/epidemiología , Niño , Preescolar , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prevalencia , Factores de Riesgo , Estudios Seroepidemiológicos , Conducta Sexual , Tatuaje/efectos adversos , Infecciones por Treponema/microbiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Many snake venom phospholipase A(2)s (vPLA(2)s) present biological effects that are independent of hydrolytic activity. Here we review the evidence for the calcium-independent membrane damaging activity of vPLA(2)s, the possible relevance of this activity on their biological effects, and models for the mechanism of membrane permeabilization by these proteins.
Asunto(s)
Fosfolipasas A2/metabolismo , Venenos de Serpiente/enzimología , Serpientes , Animales , Membrana Celular/metabolismo , Permeabilidad de la Membrana Celular , Humanos , Mutagénesis Sitio-Dirigida , Fosfolipasas A2/química , Fosfolipasas A2/genéticaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Suramin is a polysulphonated napthylurea antiprotozoal and anthelminitic drug, which also presents inhibitory activity against a broad range of enzymes. Here we evaluate the effect of suramin on the hydrolytic and biological activities of secreted human group IIA phospholipase A(2) (hsPLA(2)GIIA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The hsPLA(2)GIIA was expressed in E. coli, and refolded from inclusion bodies. The hydrolytic activity of the recombinant enzyme was measured using mixed dioleoylphosphatidylcholine/dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol (DOPC/DOPG) liposomes. The activation of macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 by hsPLA(2) GIIA was monitored by NO release, and bactericidal activity against Micrococcus luteus was evaluated by colony counting and by flow cytometry using the fluorescent probe Sytox Green. RESULTS: The hydrolytic activity of the hsPLA(2) GIIA was inhibited by a concentration of 100 nM suramin and the activation of macrophages by hsPLA(2) GIIA was abolished at protein/suramin molar ratios where the hydrolytic activity of the enzyme was inhibited. In contrast, both the bactericidal activity of hsPLA(2) GIIA against Micrococcus luteus and permeabilization of the bacterial inner membrane were unaffected by suramin concentrations up to 50 microM. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that suramin selectively inhibits the activity of the hsPLA(2) GIIA against macrophages, whilst leaving the anti-bacterial function unchanged.
Asunto(s)
Antinematodos/farmacología , Fosfolipasas A2 Grupo II/metabolismo , Activación de Macrófagos/efectos de los fármacos , Suramina/farmacología , Animales , Antinematodos/química , Línea Celular , Fosfolipasas A2 Grupo II/química , Fosfolipasas A2 Grupo II/genética , Humanos , Cuerpos de Inclusión/enzimología , Activación de Macrófagos/fisiología , Macrófagos/citología , Macrófagos/fisiología , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Estructura Molecular , Conformación Proteica , Proteínas Recombinantes/química , Proteínas Recombinantes/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes/metabolismo , Suramina/químicaRESUMEN
The dorsal striatum (DS) is involved in various forms of learning and memory such as procedural learning, habit learning, reward-association and emotional learning. We have previously reported that bilateral DS lesions disrupt tone fear conditioning (TFC), but not contextual fear conditioning (CFC) [Ferreira TL, Moreira KM, Ikeda DC, Bueno OFA, Oliveira MGM (2003) Effects of dorsal striatum lesions in tone fear conditioning and contextual fear conditioning. Brain Res 987:17-24]. To further elucidate the participation of DS in emotional learning, in the present study, we investigated the effects of bilateral pretest (postraining) electrolytic DS lesions on TFC. Given the well-acknowledged role of the amygdala in emotional learning, we also examined a possible cooperation between DS and the amygdala in TFC, by using asymmetrical electrolytic lesions, consisting of a unilateral lesion of the central amygdaloid nucleus (CeA) combined to a contralateral DS lesion. The results show that pre-test bilateral DS lesions disrupt TFC responses, suggesting that DS plays a role in the expression of TFC. More importantly, rats with asymmetrical pre-training lesions were impaired in TFC, but not in CFC tasks. This result was confirmed with muscimol asymmetrical microinjections in DS and CeA, which reversibly inactivate these structures. On the other hand, similar pretest lesions as well as unilateral electrolytic lesions of CeA and DS in the same hemisphere did not affect TFC. Possible anatomical substrates underlying the observed effects are proposed. Overall, the present results underscore that other routes, aside from the well-established CeA projections to the periaqueductal gray, may contribute to the acquisition/consolidation of the freezing response associated to a TFC task. It is suggested that CeA may presumably influence DS processing via a synaptic relay on dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra compacta and retrorubral nucleus. The present observations are also in line with other studies showing that TFC and CFC responses are mediated by different anatomical networks.
Asunto(s)
Amígdala del Cerebelo/fisiología , Condicionamiento Psicológico/fisiología , Cuerpo Estriado/fisiología , Miedo/fisiología , Reacción Cataléptica de Congelación/fisiología , Red Nerviosa/fisiología , Amígdala del Cerebelo/anatomía & histología , Animales , Cuerpo Estriado/anatomía & histología , Desnervación , Estimulación Eléctrica/efectos adversos , Emociones/fisiología , Lateralidad Funcional/fisiología , Agonistas del GABA/farmacología , Masculino , Red Nerviosa/anatomía & histología , Vías Nerviosas/anatomía & histología , Vías Nerviosas/fisiología , Pruebas Neuropsicológicas , Ratas , Ratas WistarRESUMEN
Conditioned place preference is an animal model used to evaluate the affective properties of natural rewards and drugs of abuse. This animal model is a kind of classical conditioning that depends on learning and memory. The basolateral amygdala (BLA) plays an important role in the consolidation and extinction of memory for this task. However, there is a lack of evidence demonstrating protein synthesis dependent reconsolidation following retrieval in conditioned animals. In other words, is it possible to observe morphine-associated place preference if recall of this preference is disrupted? Accordingly, we investigated this hypothesis by BLA infusion of protein synthesis inhibitor, anisomycin, immediately after retrieval (test) in conditioned place preference paradigm. In the first experiment, the conditioned animals were exposed to the two sides of the apparatus for 15 min in a drug-free state during retrieval. In the second experiment, the animals received an injection of morphine (7.5 mg/kg, i.p.) and immediately after, they were exposed to the two sides of the apparatus for 15 min. Finally in the third experiment, after habituation and training in the conditioned place preference task, the animals received an injection of the unconditioned stimulus (morphine, i.p.; 7.5 mg/kg) followed by confinement for 10 min in the morphine-paired compartment (conditioned stimulus) during memory retrieval. For the three experiments the animals were subsequently exposed in a free-drug state to the two sides of the apparatus for the retest. Our results show that the protein synthesis inhibition in all of these experimental designs had no effect on conditioned place preference memory under conditions that would initiate reconsolidation, suggesting that if reconsolidation of a conditioned place preference task exists it is not mediated by protein synthesis in basolateral amygdala. The effect of anisomycin on consolidation of contextual fear conditioning was also investigated as a positive control to assure that the negative results were not due to methodological problems. Using the same dose of anisomycin (62.5 microg/1 microl) in morphine-associated place preference procedures, we have found that this anisomycin dose blocks the consolidation of contextual fear memory, ruling out the possibility that these negative results can be attributed to methodological problem of some sort.