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  • Inorganic Chemistry  (83,665)
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  • 101
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Berlin : Wiley-Blackwell
    Acta Biotechnologica 20 (2000), S. 189-201 
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Notes: Desulfovibrio vulgaris strain PY1 was isolated from a 3-chlorobenzoic acid (3CBA) degrading anaerobic enrichment culture, using anaerobic Percoll density centrifugation. When grown on pyruvate (20 mM), in the absence of sulphate and under strict anaerobic conditions, this organism converted not only the co-substrates benzoate (BA), 3-amino-BA and 3CBA to the corresponding alcohols but also ten other different halogenated benzoic acids, viz., 4-Cl-, 3-Br-, 4-Br-, 3-I-, 3-F-, 4-F-, 2,4-di-Cl-, 2,5-di-Cl-, 3,4-di-Cl- and 3,5-di-Cl-BA. This was verfied with HPLC and GC/MS spectrometric analyses. The yields of the co-substrate converted after 30 days of growth were between 20% and 88%, depending on the compounds which had been added at initial concentrations of 500 μM. Sulphate, sulphite, thiosulphate and disulphite inhibited the formation of 3-Cl-benzyl alcohol (3CBOH), i.e. a 97 to 99% inhibition, and nitrate and sulphur had no effect (a 7-10% inhibition). In cell-free extracts, the reduction of 3CBA to 3CBOH required strict anaerobic conditions, pyruvate or H2 as electron donors and the addition of methylviologen (MV), FAD, FMN or ferredoxin as electron carriers. The specific activity of the reduction of 3CBA to 3CBOH in crude extract was 5.3 nmol/(mg protein min). The reaction was not inhibited by additions of sulphate or sulphite (5 mM), but was completely inhibited at concentrations of 10 mM 3CBA or 50 mM BA. A carboxylic acid reductase (aldehyde dehydrogenase), which acted on non-activated 3CBA and was responsible for the reduction of 3CBA to 3-Cl-benzaldehyde, was found in the solube fraction (94% of the total activity). These results demonstrate that strain PY1 was able to effectively reduce a wide range of halogenated benzoic acids to the corresponding alcohols.
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  • 102
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Berlin : Wiley-Blackwell
    Acta Biotechnologica 20 (2000), S. 203-218 
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Notes: The recent upsurge in information technology has provided the international community with an easy access to professional journals (e.g. Electronic Journal of Biotechnology at http://www.ejb.org; etc.), discussion groups (e.g. bioenergy@cret.org; digestion@crest.org; etc.) and recently to electronic international conferences (e.g. ICIBS; http://www.cid.harvard.edu/cidbiotech, etc.) as well as a series of biotechnological information material (e.g. http://www.psrast.org, etc.) to stay in contact and receive up-to-date information in biotechnology. There is no doubt that this new technology will be more cost effective in future and reach more people in communities around the globe.This review reports on one such an electronic conference aiming at bridging the communication gap between developed and developing countries. This conference dealt with integrated biosystems and has provided an excellent forum for more than 100 active participants from all regions of the world. As has been demonstrated in this review, the conference was able to show the very different approaches towards the use of biotechnology in developed and developing countries, cold and tropical climate regions owing to their different ecological, economical and societal problems. It also demonstrated very clearly that the field of molecular genetics and/or genetic engineering is not a priority issue in developing countries, but rather the need for clean technologies, multiproduct formation through socio-economic integrated biosystems, e.g. incorporating microbial waste management into agro-industries, in human activities and their roles in creating better health conditions, a better environment and sustain development.It is hoped that this review will lead to a greater use of the electronic facilities available to inform and educate both the northern and the southern communities more readily of their needs and requirements to improve understanding and efforts for a sustainable future.
    Additional Material: 4 Ill.
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  • 103
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Berlin : Wiley-Blackwell
    Acta Biotechnologica 20 (2000), S. 275-288 
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Notes: The purpose and scope of this article is to introduce capable zeolites into downstream processing of natural compounds, especially flavour compounds like 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furan-3-one (Furaneol®Furaeol is a registered trademark of FIRMENICH, Ch). The synthesis and the recovery of Furaneol from L-rhamnose are presented. Therefore adsorption isotherms of the zeolites ZSM5 and DAY with varying modules have been determined and adsorption experiments using model and reaction mixtures of Furaneol synthesis were performed and will be discussed.
    Additional Material: 11 Ill.
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  • 104
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Notes: A fermentation process for manufacturing 1,4-piperazinium-(L,L)-dilactate from renewable raw materials and a method for processing this product into L,L-dilactide are described. Lactic acid fermentation with Lactobacillus paracasei was modified in such a way that pH control occurred by using an aqueous solution of piperazine as a correcting agent instead of sodium hydroxide solution. The production of a stoichiometrically composed piperazinium lactate was possible when the pH was 5.0. From 5.0 kg of glucose and 2.15 kg of piperazine, 6.65 kg of 1,4-piperazinium-(L,L)-dilactate were formed in the fermentation process. Separation from fermentation broth, purification and concentration of the product in aqueous solutions were carried out by means of ultrafiltration, nanofiltration and electrodialysis. Total product retention by the membranes used was about 33%. The crystalline salt was obtained by vacuum evaporation. Processing of the 1,4-piperazinium-(L,L)-dilactate into L,L-dilactide was performed in a special glass reactor. A product yield of 70% was achieved. The purified product was characterized by elementary analysis, as well as solubility behaviour, polarity and spectroscopic data. An overall process consisting of the stages fermentation, purification and concentration of piperazinium dilactate as well as cyclization of the latter to dilactide is described.
    Additional Material: 9 Ill.
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  • 105
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Berlin : Wiley-Blackwell
    Acta Biotechnologica 20 (2000), S. 161-168 
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Notes: Five different chemical reagents and γ-rays were tested for the sanitization of immobilized biocatalysts with high penicillin G acylase (PGA) activity. The most effective chemical reagents were N-cetyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and 2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol (thymol). The optimum concentration of CTAB for the treatment of the immobilized enzyme was 0.25% [w/v] and 1 h, for immobilized cells 0. [w/v] and 3 h. The optimum concentration of thymol for the immobilized enzyme was found to be 0.1% [w/v] and 1 h, for immobilized cells 0.27% [w/v] and 2 h. The optimum dose of γ-rays for the sanitization of the immobilized enzyme was established as 3.2 kGy, for immobilized cells as 4.5 kGy.
    Additional Material: 5 Tab.
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  • 106
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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  • 107
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Berlin : Wiley-Blackwell
    Acta Biotechnologica 20 (2000), S. 53-64 
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Notes: An advanced primary treatment process for a municipal waste water was systematically studied, using a bio-flocculation-adsorption, sedimentation and stabilzation process (BSS). It was shown that the organic removal efficiency was higher than that of the traditional primary treatment processes but lower than that of the traditional secondary treatment processes. Both adsorption and bio-flocculation played an important role in the removal of pollutants. The activated sludge within the bio-flocculation-adsorption tank could be considered a bio-flocculent which improved the quality of the effluent from the primary treatment process. As the effluent of the BSS process did not meet the requirements for a typical secondary effluent, the process may be regarded as an advanced (or enhanced) primary treatment process, suitable for waste water containing a high concentration of suspended solids and colloidal particles.
    Additional Material: 7 Ill.
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  • 108
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Berlin : Wiley-Blackwell
    Acta Biotechnologica 20 (2000), S. 67-73 
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Notes: The concentration of airborne fungal spores and bacteria as related to room temperature, humidity and occupancy levels within a library building in Singapore was determined. Measurement of indoor air quality with respect to microorganisms is of particular importance in tropical environments due to the extensive use of air-conditioning systems and the potential implications for human health. This study has revealed a number of interesting relationships between the concentrations of fungal spores and bacteria in relation to both environmental and human factors. The levels of fungal spores measured in the indoor environment were approximately fifty times lower than those measured outside, probably because of the lowered humidity caused by air-conditioning in the indoor environment. The variation in fungal spore concentration in the outdoor environment is likely to be due to the diurnal periodicity of spore release and the response to environmental factors such as light temperature and humidity. The indoor concentration of fungal spores in air was not clearly correlated to concentrations measured in air outside of the library building and remained relatively constant, unaffected by the difference in the numbers of occupants in the library. In contrast, the indoor concentrations of bacteria in air were approximately ten times higher than those measured outdoors, indicating a signficant internal source of bacteria. The elevated levels of indoor bacteria were primarily attributed to the number of library occupants. Increased human shedding of skin cells, ejection of microorganisms and particulates from the respiratory tract, and the transport of bacteria on suspended dust particles from floor surfaces probably accounts for the strong positive correlation between occupancy levels and the concentration of bacteria in internal air.
    Additional Material: 2 Ill.
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  • 109
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Berlin : Wiley-Blackwell
    Acta Biotechnologica 20 (2000) 
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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  • 110
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    Berlin : Wiley-Blackwell
    Acta Biotechnologica 20 (2000), S. 96-96 
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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  • 111
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    Berlin : Wiley-Blackwell
    Acta Biotechnologica 20 (2000), S. 87-96 
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Notes: Preliminary results on the novel use of the bacterium Thiobacillus ferrooxidans (ATCCJ 3598 and ATCC33020) for the micro-machining (or biomachinig) of metals are reported. Biomachning is a controlled microbiological process to selectively form microstrucutures on a metal work-piece by metal removal (or dissolution) using microorganisms. Applying copper and mild steel as work-pieces, it was shown that the mass removed increased proportionately with machining time. In another experiment, the work-pieces were coated with organic photo-resistive materials to mask (i.e. protect) certain regions of the metlas, thereby defining the microstructure to be formed. The unmasked regions were successfully biomachined; the final machined profile was shown to be similar to the coating image on the original metal. Although biomachining proceeded at a slower rate than chemical machining, the undesired leaching of the metal in the region under the masked area (termed undercutting) was not as severely encountered when compared with the latter. This work demonstrates the potential use of microorganisms for the biomachining of metals. As a “green process”, the innovative use of T. ferrooxidans for the micro-machining of metals opens up the possibility of biomachining as an alternative to conventional metal processing.
    Additional Material: 5 Ill.
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  • 112
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Notes: During the microbial treatment of a sandy model soil artificially contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a large residual pollution was found. The remainig PAHs were sorbed into the micropores of the soil and were therefore not bioavailable. Using a lab-scale precolator, the microbially pretreated soil was subjected to aftertreatment with surfactants with the aim of further degradation of its pollution. Two commercial nonionic surfatants of the polyethoxylate type, Präwozell F1214/5 N and Sapogenat T-300, were used. The surfactants differ both in their physicochemical properties (CMC value, PAH solubilization capacity, adsorption onto soil) and in their microbial degradability. During aftertreatment under permanently aerobic conditions, only a weak PAH accumulation in the liquid phase was observed, which was due to a low solubilization rate as well as to simultaneous microbial degradation of the dissolved PAHs. Temporary anaerobiosis successfully suppressed the microbial degradation of both the surfactant and the solubilized PAHs, resulting in a more intensive PAH accumulation. But the PAH content of the soil - the essential criterion for evaluating the efficiency of surfactant application - was not decreased to a larger extent with surfactants than without them. To find out why the surfactants failed to act, the surfactant and hydrocarbon distribution among the liquid and solid phases was studied in mixtures of phenantherne-spiked solis and Präwozell-containig liquids; at heavy phenanthrene loading, the aqueous phase was saturated with PAH; at weak loading, it was unsaturated. Model-aided data analysis showed that the soil may contain PAH in two fractions: strongly sorbed into soil pores and, in the case of heavy loading, also weakly attached to the soil surface. The latter is easily extractable, resulting in a PAH-saturated liquid, while strongly adsorbed PAH is only partially dissolved due to competition between the micelles and the soil pores for the PAH. The microbially pretreated soil contains only strongly bound PAHs, which are as difficult to extract by surfactants as they are poorly accessible for microbes.
    Additional Material: 8 Ill.
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  • 113
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Notes: Autochthonous bacteriocenoses in semiarid soils in Patagonia were found to be capable of rapidly adapting to high contamination with crude oil. This adaptation at community level is due to the selective enrichment of hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria always present in these soils. Immediately after a heavy contamination with crude oil, the authochthonous bacteriocenosis contained about 28% hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria which could be classified into eight ecotypes with characteristic metabolic profiles. Mainly n-alkanes were used as growth substrates of representative strains. After seven months' exposure to crude oil, the bacteriocenosis consisted almost entirely of hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria. At least fourteen ecotypes were distinguishable, and the majority of representative strains were able to metabolize a broad spectrum of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. Corresponding to the significant alteration of the physiological diversity, drastic changes to the taxonomic diversity were also found. Whereas at the beginning of the study the autochthonous bacteriocenoses were dominated by GRAM-positive genera of the Actinomycetales (Dietzia, Gordona, Nocardia, Rhodococcus, Streptomyces) with high ecological potency, after just two months' exposure to crude oil, GRAM- negative bacteria (especially Pseudomonas stutzeri) became predominant within the hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteriocenoses accompanied by some GRAM-positive genera of the Actinomycetales with a significantly lower abundance. These findings underline the importance of Pseudomonas and some genera of Actinomycetales for processes of natural attenuation and the technically supported in situ bioremediation of soil polluted by crude oil in Patagonia.
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  • 114
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    Berlin : Wiley-Blackwell
    Acta Biotechnologica 20 (2000), S. 149-159 
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Notes: Some parameters of the production of an alkaline protease by Rhizopus oryzae in the solid state fermentation of wheat bran were optimized. Using the optimum parameters of an inoculum age of 7 days, an incubation time of 9 days, an amount of CZAPEK-DOX (liquid medium) of 6 ml/g bran and an incubation temperature of 33°C, an activity of 50 U/g bran was achieved. The initial pH of the CZAPEK-DOX medium had little effect. Re-incubation of mouldy bran with only fresh CZAPEK-DOX yielded 3 times total activity compared to single-cycle fermentation. As for the effect of the amount CZAPEK-DOX medium, the water constituent contributed more to activity increase than did the salt component. The ARRHENIUS activation energies were 23 and 7.9 kcal/mole below and above the optimum of 33°C, respectively. In all the studies, along with protease production, variation of protein content and specific activity were also observed. Attempts were made to explain the effects and also gauge their implications for large-scale production.
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  • 115
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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  • 116
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Berlin : Wiley-Blackwell
    Acta Biotechnologica 20 (2000) 
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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  • 117
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Notes: Because of the growing utilization of renewable raw materials, the technical use of lignocellulosic fibres from wood and other annual plant materials is becoming increasingly important. The conventional production process of fibreboards is characterized by high-energy consumption and use of ecologically insecure synthetic lesins. Approximately 40 to 45% of the total energy expenditure are used for the thermo-mechanical pulping. Because of high plastication temperatures, an inactive lignin crust on the fibre surface is formed. For that reason, for glueing of the fibres, urea formaldehyde and melamin resins are usually used. The costs for the resin amount to approximately 50% of the entire material costs. In addition, environmental problems are caused. The aim of our investigation is the reduction of energy and resin consumption by enzymatic modification of wood chips and the enzymatic activation of the inherent bonding strength of the material. The first industrial use of fungi for the modification of wood was in the production of “Myco wood”. Pleurothus ostreatus and Trametes versicolor were applied for nonsterile delignification of beech wood. The present investigation of the authors deals with the mycological pre-treatment of wood chips in order to reduce the energy consumption during wood pulping. The screening results favour the brown rotter Gleophyllum trabeum for pinewood (Pinus silvestris) and the white rotter Trametes hirsuta for beech (Fagus silvatica). Both species show resistance against mould fungi. The use of submerged inoculum of these fungi has the advantage over wheat inoculum that the lag phase is less than 12 hours and that the addition of nutrients or fungicides is not necessary. Short-time wood chip incubation results in a 40% decrease of energy consumption during thermo-mechanical pulping and in improved fibreboard properties. Lignin reduction could not be determined by gravimetrical and x-ray microanalysis.Comparative investigations of fibre incubation using laccase, a submerged culture of Trametes versicolor and rape straw fibres show a high increase in bending and tensile strength and an improvement in the hygroscopic properties of glue-free fibre boards for the last two incubation kinds. Similar effects have been obtained incubating pine wood fibres for the production of fibre sheets with enzyme medium of Trichoderma reseei.
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  • 118
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    Berlin : Wiley-Blackwell
    Acta Biotechnologica 20 (2000), S. 335-350 
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Notes: During the 20th century, important relationships developed between the oil industry and both microbiological and biotechnological research. Basic microbiological research has played an important role in both the exploration and production sectors of the oil industry, but as the maturity of the industry has progressed, such contributions have been relegated with respect to their importance. With respect to refining and petrochemicals manufacture, process routes have been extensively researched, but only rarely have the biotechnological solutions developed satisfied the economic criteria that resulted in major investment. In fact, situations exist where investment has occurred, but project life was unrealistically short, suggesting a need for extreme caution when evaluating biotechnological processes for the oil industry. However, as far as engineered processes for both biotreatment and bioremediation are concerned, the fundamental research that has underpinned other areas of hydrocarbon microbiology will finally prove to be of both technical and economic value, in ensuring that the essential needs of treatment, rather than disposal, and restoration, rather than environmental destruction, can be satisfied by the oil and other industries involved in both geochemical manipulation and natural resource exploitation.
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  • 119
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Notes: The influence of different growth-limiting factors - namely the sources of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus and the dilution (growth) rate - on the ice-nucleation activity of Pseudomonas syringe CCM 4073 was studied. A higher ice-nucleation activity was observed at a lower dilution (growth) rate (D = 0.1 h-1) than at a higher dilution (growth) rate (D = 0.3 h-1). Remarkable differences in ice-nucleation activity were found in its dependence on the growth-limiting factor. The highest ice-nucleation activity was observed under carbon limitation (T90 = -2.7°C), a medium activity under nitrogen limitation (T90 = -5°C) and lowest activity under phosphorus limitation (T90 = -12.3°C). After the addition of excess nitrogen or phosphorus to steady-state cultures, the ice-nucleation activity was restored.
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  • 120
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
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  • 121
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    Berlin : Wiley-Blackwell
    Acta Biotechnologica 20 (2000), S. 65-65 
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
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  • 122
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
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  • 123
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    Berlin : Wiley-Blackwell
    Acta Biotechnologica 20 (2000), S. 41-52 
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Notes: Studies were carried out to evaluate the feasibility of using coffee industry residues, viz. coffee husk, coffee leaves and spent coffee ground as substrates in solid state fermentation (SSF) to cultivate edible mushrooms Pleurotus. Eight strains of Pleurotus ostreatus and two strains of Pleurotus sajor-caju were screened on a medium prepared from aqueous extract of coffee husk and agar. Based on best mycelial growth (9.68 mm/day) and biomass production (43.4 mg/plate in 9 days at 24°C), the strain P. ostreatus LPB 09 was selected for detailed studies. SSF was carried out using these substrates under different moisture conditions (45-75%) and spawn rates (2.5-25%). In general, although a 25% spawn rate appeared superior, the 10% spawn rate was recommended for all the three substrates in view of the process economics, as there was not any significant difference in the increase with 10 to 15%. The ideal moisture content for mycelial growth was 60-65% for coffee husk and spent coffee ground, and 60-70% for coffee leaves. The biological efficiency (BE), which is defined as the ratio of the weight of fresh fruiting bodies to the weight of dry substrate, multiplied by 100, and which indicates the fructification ability of the fungus for utilizing the substrate, was best with coffee husk. With coffee husk as the substrate, the first fructification occurred after 20 days of inoculation, and the biological efficiency reached about 97% after 60 days. When coffee leaves were used as the substrate, no fructification was observed even upon prolonged cultivation. With spent ground as the substrate, the first fructification occurred 23 days after inoculation and the biological efficiency reached about 90% in 50 days. There was a significant decrease in the caffeine and tannin contents (61 and 79%, respectively) of coffee husk after 60 days. It was remarkable to observe that caffeine was adsorbed onto the fruiting body (0.157%), indicating that it was not completely degraded by the fungal culture. However, no tannins were found in the fruiting body, indicating that the fungal strain was capable of degrading them. The results showed the feasibility of using coffee husk and spent coffee ground as substrates without any pre-treatment for the cultivation of edible fungi in SSF, and provided one of the first steps towards an economical utilization of these otherwise unutilized or poorly utilized residues.
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  • 124
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    Berlin : Wiley-Blackwell
    Acta Biotechnologica 20 (2000), S. 75-81 
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Notes: Serratia marcescens biovar A2/A6 is able to produce a red pigment as a secondary metabolite which has antimicrobial activity. This paper describes its growth and biopigment formation in batch cultures, in media containing different concentrations of lactic acid and beef extract as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. An unstructured model has also been developed to describe its growth, lactic acid uptake and biopigment formation. The comparison of simulated and experimental data shows that the proposed model predicts reasonably well the system behaviour over a range of conditions.
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  • 125
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    Berlin : Wiley-Blackwell
    Acta Biotechnologica 20 (2000), S. 97-98 
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
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  • 126
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    Berlin : Wiley-Blackwell
    Acta Biotechnologica 20 (2000) 
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
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  • 127
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    Berlin : Wiley-Blackwell
    Acta Biotechnologica 20 (2000), S. 334-334 
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
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  • 128
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Notes: The impact of hydrocarbon remediation on several enzyme activities (catalase, dehydrogenase, lipase, protease, urease, alkaline phosphomonoesterase, fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis) and microbial properties (biomass-C, respiration, N-mineralization, qCO2, microbial counts) was evaluated in a laboratory study over a period of 10 weeks. A pristine soil was contaminated with diesel oil (10 mg/g soil) or with a mixture of phenanthrene and naphthalene (total amount 1 mg/g soil) and supplemented with inorganic nutrients to give a C:N ratio of 20:1. The corresponding controls consisted of uncontaminated nutrient-supplemented soil. Oil contamination caused a significant initial increase of all biological parameters measured. In the presence of PAHs, biomass-C, respiration, protease activity and heterotrophic counts were significantly enhanced, while urease activity was depressed. N-mineralization was initially, however, reversibly inhibited in the presence of oil and PAHs.The measured parameters behaved differently over time: Biomass-C, respiration and alkaline phosphomonoesterase activity reached a maximum activity after about 2-5 weeks, corresponding to the period during which the majority of hydrocarbons disappeared, and declined thereafter to the background level. Activities of catalase and dehydrogenase also followed this pattern, however, were characterized by fluctuations. Activities of lipase, protease, urease and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis increased and remained almost constant throughout the incubation period.
    Additional Material: 10 Ill.
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  • 129
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    Acta Biotechnologica 20 (2000), S. 351-368 
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Notes: The action resonance theory (ART), a hypothesis based on a logical extension of EINSTEIN's theory of Brownian movement, suggests that the genotype × environment interaction can be modelled as forceful encounters of the gene-products of an organism with its environment. This model has implications for molecular and cell biology, morphogenesis, evolutionary development via mutation, the mechanism of natural selection and overall function of ecosystems, extending SCHRÖDINGER's programme for molecular biology. Action, a thermodynamic property with the same physical dimensions as angular momentum and PLANCK's quantum of action, is proposed to be reversibly generated as a result of the molecular exchange of quanta, which become resonant at equilibrium, corresponding to an optimum degree of entropy and action for living systems. Because the theory can potentially predict solutions to unsolved problems such as the folding of proteins it has strong implications for successful genetic modification of organisms and for biotechnology in general; the design of a programme of research to test this theory is proposed. A key element in this research programme, improving productivity and sustainability, would be the need to select genetically modified strains in the ecological environment or niche in which they are required to function.
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  • 130
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
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  • 131
    ISSN: 0138-4988
    Keywords: Life Sciences ; Life Sciences (general)
    Source: Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Notes: Continuous counter-current chromatographic processes have been successfully used in the petrochemical and sugar industry over the last 30 years. Only recently has simulated moving bed (SMB)-technology attracted widespread interest in the pharmaceutical industry, mainly as a very efficient system for chromatographic enantioseparation. The application of this technique to the downstream processing of biotechnological products requires some specific changes to meet the special demands of bioproduct isolation. Production processes are set up on an multi-ton scale, for example, for the purification of fructose with both yield and purity higher than 90%. Examples for other mono- and oligosaccharides are reported. In the purification of fatty acids or fat soluble vitamins, SMB technology under supercritical fluid conditions gives additional benefits and increases the productivity by a factor of four when a pressure gradient is applied. Another field of operation is the isolation of drug compounds from natural sources where different batch- and SMB-chromatographic steps could be successfully combined. First examples are reported for cyclosporine A and paclitaxel isolation. Finally, step-gradient elution modes can be used continuously, as demonstrated for the isolation of monoclonal antibodies.
    Additional Material: 6 Ill.
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  • 132
    ISSN: 1364-6753
    Keywords: Key words Multiple sclerosis ; Genetics ; Myelin basic protein ; Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein ; Proteolipid protein
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: ABSTRACT Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. A complex genetic etiology is thought to underlie susceptibility to this disease. The present study was designed to analyze whether differences in genes that encode myelin proteins influence susceptibility to MS. We performed linkage analysis of MS to markers in chromosomal regions that include the genes encoding myelin basic protein (MBP), proteolipid protein (PLP), myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), oligodendrocyte myelin glycoprotein (OMGP), and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) in a well-characterized population of 65 multiplex MS families consisting of 399 total individuals, 169 affected with MS and 102 affected sibpairs. Physical mapping data permitted placement of MAG and PLP genes on the Genethon genetic map; all other genes were mapped on the Genethon genetic map by linkage analysis. For each gene, at least one marker within the gene and/or two tightly linked flanking markers were analyzed. Marker data analysis employed a combination of genetic trait model-dependent (parametric) and model-independent linkage methods. Results indicate that MAG, MBP, OMGP, and PLP genes do not have a significant genetic effect on susceptibility to MS in this population. As MOG resides within the MHC, a potential role of the MOG gene could not be excluded.
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  • 133
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    Italian journal of neurological sciences 20 (1999), S. 89-108 
    ISSN: 1126-5442
    Keywords: Key words Neurofibromatosis ; Nf1 ; Nf2 ; Mosaic/segmental neurofibromatosis ; Variants ; Classification ; Neurological manifestations ; Genetics ; Childhood ; Adulthood
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The last two decades have seen clinical and molecular delineation of the different forms of neurofibromatosis. Differentiation of these forms is not just an academic exercise: their natural history, management and genetic counselling are quite different. Of the numerical classifications of neurofibromatosis proposed in the past, only neurofibromatosis type 1 (Nf1) and neurofibromatosis type 2 (Nf2) are now well delineated clinically and have been shown to be distinct at the molecular level. For both forms of neurofibromatosis, patients with clinical generalised disease have been demonstrated to be mosaic at the molecular level, and features of segmental or mosaic Nf1 and Nf2 have been delineated. Other reported forms of neurofibromatosis are rarer; they include Watson syndrome, hereditary spinal neurofibromatosis, familial intestinal neurofibromatosis, autosomal dominant café-au-lait spots alone, autosomal dominant neurofibromas alone, and schwannomatosis, the latter believed to be a variant of Nf2. Further delineation is neeeded for individuals having overlapping features of Noonan's syndrome and neurofibromatosis (the so-called Noonan/neurofibromatosis syndrome) and the syndrome of “multiple naevi, multiple schwannomas and multiple vaginal leiomyomas”. In this article we review the forms of neurofibromatosis which we believe are true clinical entities. Particular attention is given to the neurological manifestations of neurofibromatosis.
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  • 134
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    Amino acids 17 (1999), S. 139-148 
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Polyamine oxidase ; Polyamines ; Gender ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Variations in level of polyamines and their related enzymes are frequently observed in response to some treatments which affect in a different way male and female. The possibility of a gender-related difference in the oxidation of polyamines was investigated in rats by measuring the activity of polyamine oxidase, a ubiquitous enzyme of vertebrate tissues, which transforms spermine into spermidine and spermidine into putrescine. The study was carried out on thymus, spleen, kidney and liver of young rats of both sexes, and female rats showed a lower polyamine oxidase activity than male rats in all the tissues. We also found higher values of spermidine acetylation in female than male rats in thymus and liver. Owing to these gender-related differences, a higher spermidine N-acetyltransferase/ polyamine oxidase ratio was found in female than in male rats. A second gender-related difference was a higher spermidine/spermine ratio in female than in male, the only exception being the thymus. These basal differences possibly account for the gender-related differences of polyamine metabolic enzyme activities in response to some treatments, including drugs or hormones.
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  • 135
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Taurine ; Osmoregulation ; Rat ; Osmolarity sensor protein ENVZ
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Although the involvement of taurine in osmoregulation is well-documented and widely accepted, no detailed mechanism for this function has been reported so far. We used subtractive hybridization to study mRNA steady state levels of genes up- or downregulated by taurine. Rats were fed taurine 100mg/kg body weight per day for a period of three days and hearts (total ventricular tissue) of experimental animals and controls were pooled and used for mRNA extraction. mRNAs from two groups were used for subtractive hybridization. Clones of the subtractive library were sequenced and the obtained sequences were identified by gen bank assignment. Two clones were found to contain sequences which could be assigned to the osmolarity sensor protein envZ, showing homologies of 61 and 65%. EnvZ is an inner membrane protein in bacteria, important for osmosensing and required for porine gene regulation. It undergoes autophosphorylation and subsequently phosphorylates OmpR, which in turn binds to the porin (outer membrane protein) promoters to regulate the expression of OmpF and OmpC, major outer membrane porines. This is the first report of an osmosensing mechanism in the mammalian system, which was described in bacteria only. Furthermore, we are assigning a tentative role for taurine in the osmoregulatory process by modifying the expression of the osmoregulatory sensor protein ENVZ.
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  • 136
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    Amino acids 17 (1999), S. 301-313 
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Taurine ; Transporter ; Rat ; Brain ; Heart
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary In pro- and eucaryotic life, cellular and subcellular compartments are separated by membranes and the regulated and selective passage of specific molecules across these membranes is a basic and highly conserved principle. We were interested whether taurine, a naturally occuring amino acid, would be able to induce or suppress expression of transporters with the Rationale that taurine was shown to detoxify a series of endogenous toxins and xenobiotics of various chemically non-related structures. For this purpose we used a gene hunting technique, subtractive hybridization, subtracting mRNAs of taurine-treated rat brain and heart from untreated controls. Subtracted mRNAs were then converted to cDNAs, amplified, sequenced and identified by gene bank data. We found five transporter transcripts, the phosphonate transport ATPase PHNC, multidrug transporter homolog MTH104, protein-exportmembrane protein SECD, oligopeptide transporters oppA and oppD, in the brain and two: ABC-transporter BRAF-2 and cation-transport ATPase PACS, in the heart. Homologies of the sequences found were in any case 〉50% thus permitting the identification of transporters with high probability. The biological meaning could be that a naturally occuring amino acid, taurine, modulates complex transport systems. The most prominent finding is the upregulation of a multidrug transporter transcript, explaining a mechanism for the nonselective detoxifying action of taurine.
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  • 137
    ISSN: 1432-1440
    Keywords: Key words Diabetes ; Genetics ; Phosphofructokinase ; Glycogenosis ; NIDDM ; PFK
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The etiology of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is usually explained as a combination of peripheral insulin resistance and impaired beta-cell function. Phosphofructo-1-kinase (PFK1) is a rate limiting enzyme in glycolysis, and its muscle subtype (PFK1-M) deficiency leads to an autosomal recessively inherited disorder known as glycogenosis type VII or Tarui’s disease. It was evaluated whether PFK1-M deficiency leads to NIDDM in humans. A core family of four was evaluated for PFK1-M deficiency by DNA- and enzyme-activity-analyses. All members underwent oral and intravenous glucose tolerance test (oGTT/ivgtt), as well as an insulin sensitivity test (IST) using octreotide. Results: Father (46 years, BMI 22.4 kg/m2) and older son (19 years, BMI 17.8 kg/m5) showed homozygous PFK1-M deficiency, while mother (47 years, BMI 28.4 kg/m5) and younger son (13 years, BMI 16.5 kg/m5) were shown to be heterozygously PFK1-M-deficient on enzyme activity levels. DNA analysis revealed an exon 5-missense-mutation at one allele of all four members, and an exon 22-frameshift-mutation at the other allele of the two homozygously affected individuals. By oGTT the father showed impaired glucose tolerance, and the mother clinical diabetes. By ivGTT both parents and the older son had a decreased first phase insulin secretion, and a diminished glucose disappearance rate. The IST showed marked insulin resistance in both parents and the older son, and moderate resistance in the younger son, previously not described. Conclusion: PFK1-M-deficiency leads to a metabolic state typical for early NIDDM in homozygously affected humans, especially concerning insulin resistance and loss of first phase beta-cell insulin secretion, and may contribute to the manifestation of NIDDM in a subgroup of patients.
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  • 138
    ISSN: 1432-1912
    Keywords: Key words Asphyxia ; Nitric oxide ; Electron spin ; resonance ; Adrenocorticotropin ; Resuscitation ; S-Methylisothiourea ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Anaesthetized rats, endotracheally intubated and mechanically ventilated with room air, were subjected to a 5-min period of asphyxia by turning off the ventilator. The ventilator was then turned back on and, simultaneously, the animals were treated with either the adrenocorticotropin fragment 1–24 [ACTH-(1–24), 160 µg/kg in a volume of 1 ml/kg i.v.] or an equivalent volume of saline. Nitric oxide (NO)-haemoglobin formation was detected ex vivo in arterial blood by electron spin resonance spectrometry; arterial blood pressure, electrocardiogram (ECG) and electroencephalogram (EEG) were monitored for a 60-min observation period, or until prior death. During asphyxia, there was massive formation of NO (red cell concentrations 40–80 µM), associated with a dramatic fall in mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure, marked bradycardia and ECG signs of ischaemic damage, as well as an isoelectric EEG. Treatment with ACTH-(1–24) produced a prompt (within 15 min) and long-lasting drop in NO blood levels, associated with an almost immediate (within 1 min) restoration of cardiovascular function and with a more gradual recovery of EEG, which became normal after 30–40 min; all parameters remained stable throughout the 60-min observation period. In saline-treated rats, on the other hand, there was a further increase in NO blood levels, as detected 3 min after treatment, and all died within 5–8 min. Moreover, pretreatment and treatment with S-methylisothiourea sulphate (SMT, 3 mg/kg i.v.), a relatively specific inhibitor of inducible NO synthase, inhibited NO formation, but did not affect the mortality rate (100% within 5–8 min). The present results provide the first evidence that prolonged asphyxia is associated with high blood concentrations of NO, and that the life-saving effect of melanocortin peptides in severe hypoxic conditions is associated with a complete normalization of NO blood levels. However, the lack of SMT protection in this experimental model seems to rule out the possibility that the ACTH-(1–24)-induced resuscitation is due to an effect on NO overproduction.
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  • 139
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    Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology 359 (1999), S. 117-122 
    ISSN: 1432-1912
    Keywords: Key words Ethanol ; Restraint stress ; NMDA receptor complex ; Memantine ; Drug discrimination ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract There is a large body of experimental evidence that both stress and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists may alter acute behavioural effects of ethanol. Notably, an uncompetitive, low-affinity NMDA receptor antagonist, memantine, has been recently claimed to possess anti-craving properties in rats with a long-term history of ethanol consumption. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of restraint stress and memantine on the dose-response curve of ethanol discrimination. Rats were trained to discriminate 1 g/kg ethanol from saline in the two-lever drug discrimination procedure. When ethanol discrimination was acquired, the subjects were exposed to 30-min sessions of acute restraint stress, and different doses of ethanol (0.25, 0.5 or 1 g/kg) or saline were administered. In subsequent experiments the effects of memantine (2.25 or 4.5 mg/kg) on the cueing effects of ethanol were tested. Neither the stress sessions nor memantine influenced the ethanol discrimination dose-response curve. Moreover, the stress did not alter the rate of responding. However, both doses of memantine tended to increase the rate of responding when given in combination with lower doses of ethanol (0.25–0.5 g/kg). In contrast, 4.5 mg/kg memantine decreased the response rate when combined with 1 g/kg ethanol. These results suggest that: (1) pre-exposure to acute restraint stress or memantine does not affect the dose-response curve of ethanol discrimination; (2) memantine given in combination with low doses of ethanol may stimulate operant behaviour in the food-reinforced drug discrimination procedure.
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  • 140
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    Der Nervenarzt 70 (1999), S. 195-205 
    ISSN: 1433-0407
    Keywords: Schlüsselwörter Alzheimer-Krankheit ; Genetik ; Risikofaktoren ; Genetische Beratung ; Key words Alzheimer’s disease ; Genetics ; Risk factors ; Genetic counseling
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Description / Table of Contents: Summary A multifactorial etiology underlies the majority of cases of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Both ill-defined environmental and genetic factors contribute to the development of the disease. Allele ɛ4 of ApoE is a genetic risk factor. Its presence increases the risk of developing AD. However, presence of e4 is neither necessary nor sufficient for the disease to arise. Apart from the common multifactorial forms of the disease, there are rare variants which are inherited as Mendelian traits. To date three genes are known that can be mutated in these rare forms of AD. Of these, mutations in the gene presenilin 1 on chromosome 14 are most frequent. In addition, mutations in the gene presenilin 2 on chromosome 1 and in the amyloid precursor protein gene (APP on chromosome 21) occur in autosomal dominant AD. This article reviews our present knowledge of the genetics of AD and discusses its relevance for patients with AD and their relatives.
    Notes: Zusammenfassung Der Großteil der Fälle von Alzheimer-Krankheit (AK) hat eine multifaktorielle Ätiologie. Das bedeutet, bisher nicht genauer bekannte Umwelteinflüsse und genetische Faktoren spielen bei der Entwicklung der Krankheit eine wesentliche Rolle. Von seiten der Genetik unterscheidet man bei der AK gegenwärtig genetische Risikofaktroren und Mutationen. Der einzige bisher gesicherte genetische Risikofaktor ist das Allel ɛ4 des Gens für Apolipoprotein E auf Chromosom 19. Dieses Allel erhöht die Wahrscheinlichkeit, an der AK zu erkranken, ist jedoch weder eine notwendige noch eine hinreichende Bedingung. Neben den häufigen Formen mit multifaktorieller Ätiologie kommen seltene Varianten der Krankheit vor, die nach Mendelschen Regeln vererbt werden. Bisher sind 3 Gene bekannt, die bei diesen seltenen, in der Regel früh auftretenden und autosomal dominant vererbten Formen mutiert sein können. Am häufigsten findet sich bei den autosomal-dominanten Fällen eine Mutation im Gen präsenilin 1 auf Chromosom 14, seltener liegen Mutationen im Gen präsenilin 2 auf Chromosom 1 und im Gen des Amyloid- Vorläuferproteins auf Chromosom 21 vor. In diesem Beitrag geben wir eine Übersicht über gegenwärtige Befunde zur Genetik der AK und diskutieren die Bedeutung dieses Wissens für Patienten und deren Verwandte.
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  • 141
    ISSN: 1433-0407
    Keywords: Schlüsselwörter Schizophrenie ; Genetik ; Schizophrenes Spektrum ; Kopplungsuntersuchungen ; Assoziationsuntersuchungen ; Key words Schizophrenia ; Genetics ; Schizophrenia spectrum ; Linkage studies ; Association studies
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Description / Table of Contents: Summary Schizophrenia is a genetic complex disease as it does not follow monogenic transmission while non-familial environmental factors have a strong additional impact. A heterogenous, continuous phenotype is transmitted in families which can now be more precisely characterized. Genes coding for proteins with presumed pathophysiological relevance are apparently not playing a major causal role. However, in the last three years several (currently seven) candidate regions have been identified in a replicable manner by linkage studies. These regions are likely to host susceptibility genes for schizophrenia, but none of them has been identified up to now. Given these findings, polygenic transmission has now become very likely. The candidate regions are currently being narrowed down by various promising techniques.
    Notes: Zusammenfassung Die Schizophrenie gehört zu den genetisch komplexen Erkrankungen, die keinem monogenen Erbgang folgen und bei denen auch nichtfamiliäre Umgebungsfaktoren eine wichtige Rolle spielen. Dabei wird intrafamiliär ein heterogener, quantitativ variierender Phänotyp übertragen, der zunehmend genauer charakterisiert werden kann. Keines der bekannten Gene mit vermuteter pathophysiologischer Relevanz spielt nach den bisherigen Erkenntnissen eine substantielle Rolle. In den vergangenen drei Jahren ist es aber erstmals durch Kopplungsuntersuchungen gelungen, mehrere replizierbare Kandidatenregionen (derzeit sieben) auf dem Genom zu identifizieren, in denen vermutlich Suszeptibilitätsgene für Schizophrenie liegen. Keines dieser Gene wurde jedoch bislang identifiziert. Mit diesen Befunden ist eine polygene Übertragung der Schizophrenie sehr wahrscheinlich geworden. Verschiedene Techniken zur Eingrenzung der Kandidatenregionen werden derzeit erfolgreich angewandt.
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  • 142
    ISSN: 1437-7799
    Keywords: Key words Desferrioxamine ; Cadmium ; Metallothionein ; Nephrotoxicity ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Background. Desferrioxamine (DFO) a chelating agent, is used to treat metal toxicity caused by iron and aluminum in patients on hemodialysis. We hypothesized that DFO could also be used to treat cadrium-induced nephropathy. Animal experiments were therefore performed to explore whether DFO removed cadmium (Cd) from the kidneys of rats with a Cd burden. Methods. Rats received subcutaneous injections of Cd chloride (3 mg Cd/kg per day, days 0–7) followed by DFO (50 mg/kg per day, days 8–14). Levels of Cd were determined in liver, kidneys, and plasma. Enzymes assays and histopathological examination were performed in kidneys. Results. In liver, Cd injections elevated Cd levels; subsequent injections of DFO lowered the Cd levels compared with levels after injections of Cd alone. In kidneys, Cd injections increased levels of total Cd and Cd bound to cellular membranes (Mem-Cd), and decreased leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) activity (a marker of renal injury); subsequent injections of DFO elevated levels of total Cd and Mem-Cd, and lowered LAP activity compared with fundings after the injection of Cd alone. After the injections of Cd alone and DFO following Cd the renal levels of Cd were below the critical concentration required to cause renal injury, since no histopathological changes were observed in the kidney. Conclusion. DFO administration to Cd-burdened rats removed Cd from the liver, but led to accumulation of Cd in the kidneys, particularly in the cellular membranes. These results suggest that if DFO is given long-term to Cd-burdened patients, the Cd level in kidneys, particularly in renal cellular membranes, could reach concentrations that could cause manifest renal injury.
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  • 143
    ISSN: 1437-9813
    Keywords: Key words Congenital diaphragmatic hernia ; Rat ; Glucocorticoid ; Antenatal therapy ; Insulin-like growth factor I and II ; Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract There is increasing evidence to suggest that insulin-like growth factors (IGF) I and II play a crucial role in fetal lung development. Expression of IGF-I and II has been demonstrated to be predominant during fetal life and decreases prior to birth. Antenatal glucocorticoids are reported to improve lung immaturity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of antenatal glucocorticoid administration on IGF-I and II expression in nitrofen-induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in rats. A CDH model was induced in pregnant rats following administration of 100 mg nitrofen on day 9.5 of gestation (term = 22 days). Dexamethasone (0.25 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally on days 18.5 and 19.5 of gestation. Cesarean section was performed on day 21. The fetuses were divided into three groups: I, normal controls; II, nitrofen-induced CDH; and III, nitrogen-induced CDH with antenatal dexamethasone treatment. mRNA was extracted from whole lung and a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to evaluate the relative amounts of IGF I and II mRNA. Levels of mRNA were expressed as a ratio of the band density divided by that of β-actin, a housekeeping gene known to be expressed at a constant level. Immunohistochemistry using anti-rat IGF I and II antibody was also performed in each group. Levels of IGF I mRNA were significantly increased in group II (0.50 ± 0.08) compared to group I (0.34 ± 0.10) or group III (0.32 ± 0.06) (P 〈 0.05). Levels of IGF II mRNA were also significantly increased in group II (0.95 ± 0.20) compared to group I (0.42 ± 0.07) or group III (0.31 ± 0.09) (P 〈 0.05). Strong IGF I and II expression was observed in the hypoplastic CDH lung (group II), mainly in the bronchiolar epithelium. IGF I and II expression in group I and III lungs was either absent or weak. The finding of significant reductions in IGF I and II mRNA and protein levels in dexamethasone-treated CDH lung suggest that dexamethasone may accelerate the fetal stage of lung development.
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    Pediatric surgery international 15 (1999), S. 201-205 
    ISSN: 1437-9813
    Keywords: Key words Esophagus ; Atresia ; Notochord ; Adriamycin ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Esophageal atresia (EA) is often accompanied by vertebral defects and other anomalies. The adriamycin rat model of EA has disclosed the embryology of the malformation and shown that the vertebrae and notochord are also abnormal. This study describes the nature of notochord malformations in rat embryos exposed to adriamycin. Time-mated rats received either 1.75 mg/kg adriamycin or vehicle i.p. on gestational days (E) 6 to 9; E-12, E-12.5, and E-13 embryos were harvested, embedded in paraffin, and serially sectioned at 3 μm in transverse plane from the head to the stomach for subsequent PAS staining. The findings in both groups were compared at the three endpoints. Control embryos had neither tracheoesophageal nor notochord malformations. On day 12, only 11/36 adriamycin embryos were normal; 7/36 had abnormal notochords, 11/36 had EA, and 7/36 had both. The corresponding figures for 12.5 days were 12/27, 0/27, 7/27, and 8/27 and those for the day 13 7/23, 5/23, 3/23, and 8/23. The malformed notochords were thickened, bifurcated, or trifurcated in the sagittal plane. The simultaneous presence of notochord and esophageal malformations suggests a direct link between both defects, but our observation of isolated occurrence of both shows that they reflect two expressions of the profound disturbance of embryonic para-axial organization responsible for the cluster of malformations rather than a cause-effect association.
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    Pediatric surgery international 15 (1999), S. 457-460 
    ISSN: 1437-9813
    Keywords: Key words Blunt testicular injury ; Rat ; DNA flowcytometry ; Antisperm antibodies
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Injury to the testis breaching the tunica albuginea is known to affect fertility. Blunt testicular trauma with an intact tunica albuginea has been reported to have no effect on contralateral testicular histology and Johnsen testicular maturation score. However, sensitive techniques like DNA flowcytometry have not been utilized so far to evaluate contralateral testicular germ-cell changes. Sixty-four male Wistar rats aged 20 days were randomized into groups I (control), II (unilateral blunt testicular trauma, UBTT), III (UBTT and excision of ipsilateral testis at 6 h), and IV (UBTT and cyclosporine for 30 days). Fertility, DNA flowcytometry of contralateral testicular tissue, and anti-sperm antibodies (ASA) were evaluated. Fertility and haploid-cell percentage of the contralateral testis were significantly decreased compared to controls in early adulthood (100 days). Around 150 days of age, as ASA decreased significantly, fertility and contralateral testicular haploid-cell population recovered and were comparable to the controls. Excision of the traumatized testicle around 6 h after injury or administration of cyclosporine for 30 days protected fertility and the contralateral testis. In contrast to group II rats, ELISA for ASA was negative in group III and IV rats. UBTT affects the contralateral testis and fertility. ASA mediate this damage. Orchidectomy performed around 6 h after trauma or short-term cyclosporine therapy prevents the damage.
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  • 146
    ISSN: 1437-9813
    Keywords: Key words Unilateral undescended testis ; Rat ; Testicular injury ; DNA flowcytometry ; Anti-sperm antibody
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract This study was designed to evaluate whether creation of a unilateral undescended testis (U/L UDT) in rats by direct fixation of the testis can lead to changes in the contralateral (C/L) descended testis, and if so, whether this inherent problem of the model could be eliminated by anchoring the divided gubernaculum to indirectly fix the testis. Thirty male newborn rats were divided into three groups of 10 each and the procedure done on the 2nd day of life to create U/L UDT according to the group allocated: group I: sham-operated; group II: anchoring the gubernaculum after gubernaculectomy; group III: Direct suture fixation of the testis. Fertility, C/L testicular weight (TW), Johnsen score, seminiferous tubular diameter (STD), DNA flowcytometry, and serum anti-sperm antibodies (ASA) were studied. Fertility, C/L TW, Johnsen score, STD, and haploid cell population were significantly reduced in group III compared to group II, while significantly higher titers of ASA were found in group III. Gubernaculectomy and anchoring the gubernaculum to the anterior abdominal wall is a better technique of creation of experimental UDT, as direct fixation of the testis is potentially detrimental to the C/L normal, descended testis.
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  • 147
    ISSN: 1432-2307
    Keywords: Key words Pyruvate kinase isoenzymes ; N-Nitrosomorpholine ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  The expression of the pyruvate kinase (PK) isoenzymes L and M2 was analysed in the livers of rats treated with the hepatocarcinogenic agent N-nitrosomorpholine (NNM) in the drinking water. In control animals L-PK expression was restricted to liver parenchymal cells, whereas M2-PK was detected in bile duct epithelial, blood vessel wall, endothelial and Kupffer cells. In rats treated with NNM proliferating oval cells were consistently L-PK negative and M2-PK positive, while the ductal cells of cholangiofibroses were clearly L-PK positive and coexpressed M2-PK. However, no morphological differentiation of ductal cells into hepatocyte-like cells was observed. In the clear and acidophilic cell foci storing glycogen in excess strong staining for L-PK was observed. In glycogen-poor foci induced by NNM a shift from L-PK to M2-PK expression takes place.
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  • 148
    ISSN: 1432-2307
    Keywords: Key words Medullary thyroid carcinoma ; Basement membrane ; Laminin ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) originates from C cells, which secrete calcitonin (CT), their specific marker. C cells are located in contact with the basement membrane (BM) of the thyroid follicles, which is partly made up of the laminin-2 isoform synthesized by thyrocytes. During oncogenesis, proliferation of the C cells, invading the centre of the follicles, leads to a break in their normal contact with the BM. As specific interactions of cells with BM components, especially laminins, are important for proliferation and differentiation, we investigated the relationships of normal and neoplastic C cells with laminin in the Wag/Rij rat model of human MTC. Immunocytochemical studies showed a progressive loss of the laminin layer underlying the hyperplastic C cell nodules around the large dedifferentiated tumours. The α2, β1 and γ1 chains of the laminin-2 isoform were synthesized and secreted by rat MTC 6–23 cell cultures and the tumours induced by subcutaneous injection of these cells. In situ hybridization combined with anti-CT immunocytochemistry showed a low expression of α2 mRNA on differentiated C cells and thyrocytes, but an overexpression on immunonegative spontaneous MTC and induced intrathyroid tumours. The high level of α2 gene expression, together with tumour dedifferentiation, suggests a relationship with malignancy.
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  • 149
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    Urological research 27 (1999), S. 41-47 
    ISSN: 1434-0879
    Keywords: Key words Ureter ; Histology ; Polyuria ; Diabetes mellitus ; Nephrectomy ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The influence of increased functional load on the macroscopical and histological appearance of the ureter was investigated. Sixty rats were divided into five groups: (1) sucrose-fed rats with non-osmotic polyuria; (2) diabetic rats with osmotic polyuria; (3) uninephrectomized rats; (4) sham-operated control rats; and (5) control rats. The 24-hour urinary volume was measured on days 7, 14 and 21. Growth of the kidney, ureter and bladder was investigated and the histological appearance of the ureter was further evaluated. Diabetic and sucrose-fed rats had comparable polyuria with a seven-fold increase in urinary output. The urinary volume for the remaining kidney was doubled in uninephrectomized rats. After 3 weeks, diabetic rats had increased weight of the kidney, ureter and bladder, sucrose-fed rats had increased weight of the bladder, whereas uninephrectomized rats had increased weight of the kidney and ureter. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the ureter wall from control rats increased from the proximal to the distal portion. The size of the whole ureter from diabetic rats was dramatically increased, the CSA of the wall of the distal ureter portion being four times that of the controls. The CSA of the ureter wall from sucrose-fed rats was increased only in the distal portion, whereas the ureter from uninephrectomized rats was increased only in the proximal portion. The results demonstrate the importance of differentiating between different portions of the rat ureter when examining histological sections of this organ. Moreover, polyuria per se is shown to induce growth of the bladder and of the adjacent distal part of the ureter, whereas uninephrectomy and diabetes caused growth of the kidney and the upper parts of the ureter, in addition to the growth induced by polyuria.
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  • 150
    ISSN: 1434-0879
    Keywords: Key words Nonbacterial prostatitis ; Animal model ; Partial urethral obstruction ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The pathogenesis of nonbacterial prostatitis (NBP) is not understood mainly due to the lack of appropriate experimental models. We developed a new experimental model of NBP by inducing a partial obstruction of the urethra (PUO) in the rat. Male Wistar rats aged 12 weeks were used. PUO was produced by a nylon ligature on the urethra over a rubber tube. The tube was slipped out after the ligature had been tied. Two rats were examined histologically 6 h, 1 day, 3 days and 7 days after PUO. In another group, two rats were killed at 1, 3 and 7 days after the release of the PUO that had been left in place for 3 days. On day 3, another eight rats with PUO and eight control rats had 2 ml of urine in the bladder replaced by the same volume of lucifer yellow (LY; 10 μg/ml, MW 500), microperoxidase (MP; 20 μg/ml, MW 1900), horseradish peroxidase (HRP; 10 μg/ml, MW 40 000), or saline as control, respectively. Lymphocytic infiltration and interstitial edema were noted in the prostate following PUO, being most prominent on day 3. After the release of the PUO, these inflammatory changes gradually disappeared. Only LY was noted within the prostatic stroma of the rats 2 h after bladder instillation. Intraprostatic urinary reflux may be an etiologic factor in NBP. The present study showed that lower urinary tract obstruction caused NBP in the rat. Penetration of prostatic tissue by low-molecular-weight substances in the urine may trigger NBP.
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  • 151
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    Urological research 27 (1999), S. 476-482 
    ISSN: 1434-0879
    Keywords: Key words Urinary bladder ; Enterocystoplasty ; Cecocystoplasty ; Innervation ; Nerve growth ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Incorporation of bowel into the bladder (enterocystoplasty) has been widely used to increase bladder capacity. It has been reported by others that the response of smooth muscle from the cystoplastic segment of the intestine shifts from that of the intestine (relaxation to α-agonists and ATP) to that of the bladder (contraction to α-agonists and ATP). This suggests a functional integration of the intestinal muscle into the bladder; the mechanisms are unknown. The aims of the present study were (1) to elucidate if there are signs of bladder nerves sprouting across the anastomosis into the intestinal segment, and (2) to study what happens with the intrinsic innervation of the intestinal segment. As a model, we used cecocystoplasty in rats. The bladder was opened and a patch of cecum with intact vascular supply was anastomosed to the bladder. After two to 11 months the rats were sacrificed and the bladders mounted as wholemounts and stained for acetylcholinesterase-containing nerves, or embedded in paraffin for histology. A pronounced degeneration of the myenteric plexus was found in the cecal segments. In some areas, this had proceeded to the extent that the ganglia were isolated ovoid lumps of cells with no apparent connection to other ganglia. Areas lacking ganglia and nerve trunks but still with muscle could be found in all specimens. Abundant axon bundles were demonstrated sprouting from the cut bladder nerves close to the anastomosis. The bundles spread out in a fan-like pattern or were organized as fewer thicker nerves. There were many nerve bundles entering the cecal segment where they branched and the diameter decreased till they no longer became visible. Some nerves reached surviving lumps of myenteric ganglion cells. The results show that the bladder nerves sprout into the anastomosed cecal segment. It is reasonable to assume that these nerves are responsible for the changes in receptor pharmacological properties of the cecal smooth muscle towards that of bladder muscle.
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  • 152
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    Urological research 27 (1999), S. 174-179 
    ISSN: 1434-0879
    Keywords: Key words Apoptosis ; Ischemia-reperfusion ; Blood flow ; Ischemia ; Prostate ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The mechanisms involved in the castration-induced involution of the ventral prostate (VP) are not fully understood. It was recently reported that castration decreases blood flow in the VP in rats and that this occurs before the apoptotic involution of the organ. However, it is unknown whether a decrease in blood flow may trigger apoptosis in the VP, and this was therefore examined in this study. The right iliac artery was clamped for 1 h in adult male rats. After 24 h of reperfusion, the VPs were frozen or fixed. In situ end-labeling (ISEL) was used to identify apoptotic cells, and testosterone repressed prostatic message-2 (TRPM-2) was measured. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunohistochemistry was used to identify proliferating cells. Clamping the right iliac artery reduced blood flow in the right VP to 0.17 of that in the contralateral lobe. This relative ischemia resulted in a threefold increase in the volume density of apoptotic epithelial cells on the treated side, but left cell proliferation unaffected. Testosterone substitution did not change this pattern. This study suggests that a transient period of relative ischemia may induce apoptosis in the rat ventral prostate. This may be of importance for the understanding of castration-induced prostatic involution.
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  • 153
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    Anatomy and embryology 199 (1999), S. 265-280 
    ISSN: 1432-0568
    Keywords: Key words Cat ; Rat ; Immunocytochemistry ; NADPH-diaphorase ; Thalamus
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  To gain insight into the cellular organisation of the zona incerta, we have examined the chemoarchitectonic properties of this ”uncertain zone”. The brains of Sprague-Dawley rats and common cats were processed for immunocytochemistry or NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry using standard methods. For the immunocytochemistry, antibodies to γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), parvalbumin, calbindin, tyrosine hydroxylase, somatostatin, serotonin and glutamate were used. Two general patterns of distribution in the zona incerta were seen. First, labelled cells were restricted largely to one of the cytoarchitectonically defined sectors of the zona incerta. For instance, GABA, GAD and parvalbumin-immunoreactive cells were found principally within the ventral sector, NADPH-diaphorase and glutamate-immunoreactive cells within the dorsal sector and tyrosine hydroxylase- and somatostatin-immunoreactive cells within the rostral sector. Second, labelled cells were scattered somewhat across all incertal sectors, with no clear region of concentration. This pattern included the calbindin- and serotonin-immunoreactive cell groups. These results indicate that the zona incerta is made up of many neurochemically distinct cell groups, some of which respect the well-defined cytoarchitectonic boundaries of the nucleus, whilst others do not. This rich neurochemical diversity in the zona incerta suggests that this nucleus may have differential effects on the different structures that it projects to.
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  • 154
    ISSN: 1432-0533
    Keywords: Key words Frontotemporal dementia ; Genetics ; Progressive supranuclear palsy ; Tauopathy ; Exon ; amplifcation
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Recently intronic and exonic mutations in the Tau gene have been found to be associated with familial neurodegenerative syndromes characterized not only by a predominantly frontotemporal dementia but also by the presence of neurological signs consistent with the dysfunction of multiple subcortical neuronal circuitries. Among families, the symptomatology appears to vary in quality and severity in relation to the specific Tau gene mutation and often may include parkinsonism, supranuclear palsies, and/or myoclonus, in addition to dementia. We carried out molecular genetic and neuropathological studies on two patients from a French family presenting, early in their fifth decade, a cognitive impairment and supranuclear palsy followed by an akinetic rigid syndrome and dementia. The proband died severely demented 7 years after the onset of the symptoms; currently, his brother is still alive although his disease is progressing. In both patients, we found a Tau gene mutation in exon 10 at codon 279, resulting in an asparagine to lysine substitution (N279K). Neuropathologically, widespread neuronal and glial tau accumulation in the cortex, basal ganglia, brain stem nuclei as well as in the white matter were the hallmark of the disease. These deposits were shown by immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy, using a battery of antibodies to phosphorylation-dependent and phosphorylation-independent epitopes present in multiple tau regions. In the neocortex, tau-immunopositive glial cells were more numerous than immunopositive neurons; the deeper cortical layers as well as the white matter adjacent to the cortex contained the largest amount of immunolabeled glial cells. In contrast, some brain stem nuclei contained more neurons with tau deposits than immunolabeled glial cells. The correlation of clinical, neuropathological and molecular genetic findings emphasize the phenotypic heterogeneitiy of diseases caused by Tau gene mutations. Furthermore, to test the effect of the N279K mutation and compare it with the effect of the P301L exon 10 mutation on alternative splicing of Tau exon 10, we used an exon amplification assay. Our results suggest that the N279K mutation affects splicing similar to the intronic mutations, allowing exon 10 to be incorporated more frequently in the Tau transcript.
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  • 155
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    Anatomy and embryology 200 (1999), S. 521-531 
    ISSN: 1432-0568
    Keywords: Key words Development ; Internal capsule ; Nucleus basalis ; Rat ; Thalamus
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  This study defines several features of the early connections of the developmentally transient perireticular thalamic nucleus of rats. The neocortex of developing rats was injected with either DiI, biotinylated dextran, WGA-HRP (wheatgerm agglutinin conjugated-horseradish peroxidase), fluorescent latex beads or cholera toxin subunit B (CTB) and their brains were processed for tracer detection with standard methods. In general, tracer injections into various regions of the developing neocortex revealed no labelled neurones within the perireticular nucleus, although some of these tracers (WGA-HRP, dextran) labelled many of the amoeboid microglial cells that are found within this nucleus. There were, however, many retrogradely labelled neurones in a region adjacent to the perireticular nucleus, within the nucleus basalis of the basal forebrain (medial edge of globus pallidus). Their identity was confirmed as neurones of the nucleus basalis since they were all were similar in morphology and somal size to neurones that were immunoreactive to NGFr (nerve growth factor receptor), an antigen found only among neurones of the nucleus basalis and basal forebrain. Moreover, double labelling experiments revealed that most, if not all, of the cortically labelled neurones were NGFr-immunoreactive also. Thus, in conclusion, our results suggest that the perireticular nucleus does not project to the neocortex; the only neurones in the general vicinity of the perireticular nucleus that have a cortical projection form part of the nucleus basalis.
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  • 156
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    Anatomy and embryology 200 (1999), S. 533-540 
    ISSN: 1432-0568
    Keywords: Key words Coronary vasculogenesis ; Angiogenesis ; Coronary artery ; Development ; Rat ; Embryonic heart
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  The aim of this work was to address spatiotemporal and morphologic patterns of coronary artery development in rats, based on immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies of hearts at different stages of prenatal development. Griffonia simplicifolia I lectin and α-smooth muscle antibody were used to demonstrate endothelial cells and/or their precursors and smooth muscle cells, respectively. Ultrastructural examination was performed on ED14–16 hearts to study the morphology of the developing coronary arteries in different regions of the truncus arteriosus and adjacent myocardium. On ED14 endothelial-like cells present within the mesenchyme surrounding the outflow tract penetrated the aortic wall and the truncoconal proximal myocardium. On ED15 these penetrating cells formed vascular clusters, which were the first signs of presumptive vascular channels. Development of the coronary artery proceeded by coalescence of discontinous vascular clusters, formation of the lumen (vascular channels) and establishing a connection of the proximal part with the aorta. The second layer of cells around vascular channels (embryonic media) consisted of mesenchymal cells that were attracted to the immature vessel and were first seen on ED15. At this time no lumenized connection of the coronary artery with the aorta has been seen. After the lumenized connection of the coronary artery with the aorta had been established perivascular cells of the media started to differentiate into vascular smooth muscle, as was shown by α-smooth muscle actin-staining. Further development and differentiation of the media and adventitia proceeded distally (towards the apex).
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  • 157
    ISSN: 1432-0568
    Keywords: Key words Morphogenesis ; Histochemistry ; Lectins ; Carbohydrates ; Salivary glands ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  The developmental expression of salivary glycoconjugates was investigated in the rat submandibular and sublingual glands by conventional and lectin histochemistry. By the time of the first differentiation of secretory structures, in spite of similar morphological features, a different histochemical reactivity was detected, accounting for a relevant content of neutral glycoconjugates in the submandibular gland and the occurrence of both neutral and acidic glycoconjugates in the sublingual one. The use of lectins allowed the main changes of secretory components to be noted around gestational day 18. DBA and WGA lectins seemed to act as pre- and post-natal development markers while Con A lectin was indicative of post-natal differentiation. Taken together, data from lectin histochemistry indicated the transitional occurrence of glycoconjugates, probably involved in temporally restricted functions, as well as the co-existence of different secretory components that might also reflect maturational changes of single products.
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  • 158
    ISSN: 1432-0533
    Keywords: Key words Clomethiazole ; Rat ; Spinal cord-injury ; Neuroprotection
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Clomethiazole (CMZ) has a neuroprotective effect in experimental focal and global forebrain ischemia. This neuroprotective effect may depend on its ability to enhance GABA receptor activity. We have studied the effect of pretreatment with CMZ on motor function recovery and nerve cell damage after spinal cord injury (SCI). Rats were randomized and 30 min before SCI they received a single intraperitoneal dose of CMZ (150 mg/kg) or saline. The spinal cord was injured with a 50 g (4.5 g/mm2) load, applied over the exposed dura, through a curved rectangular plate (2.2 × 5.0 mm) for 5 min at T8–9. The animals became paraplegic 1 day after injury. The rats were evaluated for recovery of hind limb motor function. All animals recovered to some extent over the observation period of 12 weeks. However, hind limb motor function was significantly better in the animals pretreated with CMZ. At 12 weeks the rats were killed and perfused/fixed for morphological investigations. Microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) immunostaining was used to stain neurons and dendrites and Luxol-fast blue to stain myelinated tracts of the white matter. The injured segment of the spinal cord showed severe atrophy, distortion, cavitation and necrosis of grey and white matter. Compared to uninjured controls the transverse sectional area was reduced to 32.7 ± 4% in untreated animals but only to 38.5% ± 4.1 in CMZ-treated animals. MAP2 staining showed that, compared to uninjured controls, grey matter was reduced to 7.4 ± 2.7% in saline-treated injured animals and to 22.7 ± 5.4% in CMZ-treated rats. Our results thus show that in this model CMZ improves hind limb motor function and attenuates the morphological damage to the spinal cord.
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  • 159
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    Anatomy and embryology 200 (1999), S. 413-417 
    ISSN: 1432-0568
    Keywords: Key words Receptor cell ; Axon ; Vomeronasal organ ; Regeneration ; Rat ; HRP-WGA
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Chemosensory neurons in the vomeronasal epithelium (vomeronasal neurons) regenerate following experimentally induced degeneration. Transection of the vomeronasal nerves leads to retrograde degeneration of vomeronasal neurons followed by replacement of the cell population. The projection of the axons of regenerated vomeronasal neurons was examined by horseradish peroxidase(HRP) histochemistry and electron microscopy. HRP-wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) was placed on the surface of the vomeronasal organ of the rat. Dense distribution of HRP-labeled fibers was observed in the vomeronasal nerve and glomerular layers in the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) of the intact rat. At one week after transection, HRP-labeled fibers were not found in the AOB, and no labeled fibers could be observed on the medial surface of the olfactory bulb where the vomeronasal nerve traversed. Three weeks after transection, labeled fiber bundles were observed on the medial surface of the olfactory bulb in all animals. No labeled fibers were detected in the AOB. From 12 to 32 weeks after transection, projection of HRP-labeled fibers was identified in the AOB in 8 out of 26 rats (the incidence of projection was 30%). But the number of projection fibers on the operated side was much smaller than on the control side. Electron microscopy confirmed that the HRP-labeled terminals make synaptic contacts with neurons in the AOB.
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  • 160
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    Annals of hematology 78 (1999), S. 485-494 
    ISSN: 1432-0584
    Keywords: Key words Mantle cell lymphoma ; Classification ; Pathology ; Prognosis ; Immunology ; Genetics ; Antineoplastic agents ; Combined ; Therapeutic use ; Radiotherapy ; Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
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  • 161
    ISSN: 1432-0584
    Keywords: Key words Acute leukemia ; Genetics ; Sex ; ABO Blood group
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Acute leukemia is more common in males at almost every age, and this fact remains unexplained. A study was carried out in northeast peninsular Malaysia, where the population is predominantly Malay, to examine whether there was a difference in ABO blood group distribution between males and females with acute leukemia (AL). The ABO blood groups of 109 male and 79 female patients with AL (98 ALL, 90 AML) were compared with those of 1019 controls. In the control population, 39.7% were group O. Among males with AL, 39.4% were group O, whereas among females with AL, the proportion was 24.1% (p=0.03). The same trend to a lower proportion of group O among females was seen if the group was divided into adult/pediatric or lymphoblastic/myeloblastic groups, though these differences were not statistically significant. If these findings can be confirmed, they suggest the presence of a "sex-responsive" gene near to the ABO gene locus on chromosome 9, which relatively protects group O women against AL, at least in our population. The existence of such a gene might also partly explain why acute leukemia, and possibly other childhood cancers, are more common in males.
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  • 162
    ISSN: 1423-0127
    Keywords: Tax ; HTLV-1 ; Trans-activation ; Phosphorylation ; Mutagenesis ; Transcription ; Genetics
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) Tax is a phosphoprotein, however, the contribution of phosphorylation to Tax activity is unknown. Previous studies have shown that phosphorylation of Tax occurs on serine residue(s), within one tryptic fragment, in response to 4β-phorbol-12β-myristate-13α-acetate, in both mouse and human cells. Studies were conducted in multiple cell lines to identify the specific phosphorylated serines as a prelude to functional analysis. The phosphorylation pattern of Tax was found to be different in 293T and COS-7 cells in comparison with MT-4 and Px-1 cells. However, one tryptic fragment remained consistent in comigration analyses among all cell lines. Using selected Tax serine mutants a tryptic fragment containing a serine at residue 113 believed to be the site of phosphorylation of Tax did not comigrate with the common phosphorylated tryptic fragment. Analysis of selected Tax mutants for ability totrans-activate the cytomegalovirus promoter demonstrated mutation of serine 77 to alanine reducedtrans-activation by 90% compared to wild-type Tax. However, examination of the phosphorylation pattern of the serine 77 mutant demonstrated that it is not the site of phosphorylation. These studies demonstrate the importance of using relevant cell lines to characterize the role of phosphorylation in protein function.
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  • 163
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    Zeitschrift für Lebensmittel-Untersuchung und -Forschung 208 (1999), S. 183-188 
    ISSN: 1431-4630
    Keywords: Key words Sulphadimidine ; Fermented sausage ; Carbon-14-labelling ; Rat ; Bound residues
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Notes: Abstract  Sulphadimidine (SDM), a drug frequently administered to pigs, is partially converted into other compounds by processing meat to produce raw, fermented sausage. With the aid of 14C-labelled SDM, evidence was obtained that part of the radioactive matter was covalently bound to the matrix. Part of these bound residues could be released in vitro by 4 M HCl at 21  °C or by 0.024 M HCl at 37  °C. Female rats were also able to release bound SDM residues and to excrete these in their urine, in amounts approaching those obtained by treatment with 4 M HCl. Both the parent compound and its main metabolite, N 4-acetyl-SDM, were observed in the urine of rats.
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  • 164
    ISSN: 1432-1211
    Keywords: Key words Class II MHC sequence ; Rat ; Cloning ; RT-PCR ; Polymorphism
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
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  • 165
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Key words Coherence ; Entorhinal cortex ; Cortex ; Hippocampus ; Amygdala ; 192 IgG-saporin ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Changes in brain electrical activity in response to cholinergic agonists, antagonists, or excitotoxic lesions of the basal forebrain may not be reflective entirely of changes in cholinergic tone, in so far as these interventions also involve noncholinergic neurons. We examined electrocortical activity in rats following bilateral intracerebroventricular administration of 192 IgG-saporin (1.8 µg/ventricle), a selective cholinergic immunotoxin directed to the low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor p75. The immunotoxin resulted in extensive loss of choline acetyl transferase (ChAT) activity in neocortex (80%–84%) and hippocampus (93%), with relative sparing of entorhinal-piriform cortex (42%) and amygdala (28%). Electrocortical activity demonstrated modest increases in 1- to 4-Hz power, decreases in 20- to 44-Hz power, and decreases in 4- to 8-Hz intra- and interhemispheric coherence. Rhythmic slow activity (RSA) occurred robustly in toxin-treated animals during voluntary movement and in response to physostigmine, with no significant differences seen in power and peak frequency in comparison with controls. Physostigmine significantly increased intrahemispheric coherence in lesioned and intact animals, with minor increases seen in interhemispheric coherence. Our study suggests that: (1) electrocortical changes in response to selective cholinergic deafferentation are more modest than those previously reported following excitotoxic lesions; (2) changes in cholinergic tone affect primarily brain electrical transmission within, in contrast to between hemispheres; and (3) a substantial cholinergic reserve remains following administration of 192 IgG-saporin, despite dramatic losses of ChAT in cortex and hippocampus. Persistence of a cholinergically modulated RSA suggests that such activity may be mediated through cholinergic neurons which, because they lack the p75 receptor, remain unaffected by the immunotoxin.
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  • 166
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Key words Spatial function ; Water maze ; Procedural learning ; Cerebellum ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Recently, we demonstrated the prevalent role of cerebellar networks in the acquisition of the procedural components of spatial information by testing hemicerebellectomized (HCbed) rats in a classical spatial task, the Morris water maze (MWM). As procedures used in the water maze are a mixture of different components (that is, general procedures, exploration procedures, direct reaching procedures), for optimally solving a spatial task all procedural components must be opportunely managed. Thus, severely impaired procedural learning of cerebellar origin can be better comprehended by fractionating the procedural facets. To this aim, a two-step water-maze paradigm was employed. Normal rats were first trained to search for a hidden platform moved to a different position in each trial, utilizing a water maze setting in which visual cues were abolished by heavy black curtains surrounding the tank. In this paradigm, normal animals solved the task by using general and exploration procedures, but they could not use direct reaching skills. A subgroup of these pretrained animals was then HCbed and, after recovery from cerebellar lesion, was tested in a water maze with normal environmental cues available, a paradigm in which normal animals develop abilities for reaching the target with very direct trajectories. Pretrained HCbed animals, however, did not display the typical spatial deficits of naive HCbed rats, persisted in exhibiting the scanning strategy learned during pretraining, and never displayed direct reaching skills. In conclusion, cerebellar networks appear to be involved in the acquisition of all procedural facets necessary for shifting behavior within the maze until direct reaching of the platform. The lack of flexibility in changing exploration strategies displayed by pretrained HCbed rats is interpreted by taking into account the well-known cerebellar frontal interplay sculpting a specific cerebellar role in the acquisition of spatial procedural steps.
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  • 167
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    Experimental brain research 126 (1999), S. 307-314 
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Key words Striatal dopamine depletion ; Rat ; Locomotion ; Ground reaction forces ; Gait ; Unilateral ; Kinetic ; Centre of mass
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Hemi-parkinsonian rats have preserved postural reflexes but are impaired in initiation of voluntary movements. Surprisingly, these rats can walk and run, suggesting that they can access some compensatory strategy to overcome the rigidity in their impaired limbs. The purpose of the present experiment was to investigate the locomotor compensations made by hemi-parkinsonian rats by measuring the forces exerted by the limbs on the ground throughout the stride during trotting. Rats with unilateral dopamine depletion produced by injection of 6-hydroxydopamine into the nigrostriatal bundle were trained to run back and forth in an alley for food reinforcement. Ground reaction forces were measured in three orthogonal directions using a force plate embedded in the runway. Rats were also videotaped so that limb movements were synchronized with force recordings. Although locomotion was obviously impaired, the affected limbs could support weight and provide some braking forces. In addition, the impaired hindlimb provided significant propulsive force, and a relatively large laterally directed force. Analysis of vertical movement of the centre of mass suggested that the impaired hindlimb was being used partly as a spring. The most significant abnormalities were seen during the diagonal couplet of the impaired forelimb and the unimpaired hindlimb, partly reflecting the important compensatory role of the unimpaired hindlimb. These results demonstrate that this method is useful in the analysis of hemi-parkinsonian gait and provide insights as to how rats can use an impaired limb to produce weight support and propulsion.
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  • 168
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    Experimental brain research 126 (1999), S. 351-358 
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Key words Tooth pulp ; Phrenic nerve ; Electrical stimulation ; C1 spinal neuron ; Digastric electromyogram ; Somatic receptive field ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Effects of electrical stimulation of the ipsilateral tooth pulp (TP) on C1 spinal neurons were determined in 33 anesthetized rats. One hundred and seven neurons responded to TP stimulation. In 10 rats, the activity of 18 C1 spinal neurons and the amplitude of a digastric electromyogram (dEMG, n=10) increased proportionally during the TP stimulation at an intensity of 1–3 times the threshold for jaw-opening reflex (JOR). Excitatory receptive somatic fields were examined in 61 neurons. Somatic field locations of many neurons (67.2%) involved the ipsilateral face, neck, and jaw. The activity of 45 neurons was increased by both noxious pinch and brushing hair. Of the 107 C1 spinal neurons responding to TP stimulation, 55 were tested to determine the effects of electrical stimulation of the ipsilateral phrenic nerve (PN) above the heart. Twenty-eight of 55 neurons tested were excited; no change in activity was seen for the remaining 27 neurons. The activity of six neurons increased as the intensity of PN stimulation was increased. Excitatory receptive somatic fields were determined in 28 neurons, and somatic field locations of 17 neurons (60.7%) included the ipsilateral face, neck, and jaw. Both noxious pinch and brushing hair excited all 28 neurons. These results suggest that there may be the convergence of face, neck, jaw, TP, and PN afferents on the same C1 spinal neurons in the rat.
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  • 169
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Key words Acetylcholine ; Brain slices ; Cerebral cortex ; Long-term depression ; Rat ; Synaptic plasticity
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  The ability of layer I activation to facilitate the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) in layer II/III horizontal connections of motor cortex (MI) was examined in rat brain slice preparations. Field potentials evoked in layer I and layer II/III horizontal pathways were recorded from radially aligned MI sites. While theta burst stimulation (TBS) of layer II/III pathways alone failed to induce LTP, simultaneous TBS of layer I and layer II/III inputs on alternate sides of the recording electrodes induced LTP in the layer II/III input in 8 out of 13 slices (mean change +20±6%; N=13). In the same cases, the layer I connections showed mixed effects: LTP in three cases, LTD in five cases, and no modification in five slices. Despite the facilitatory effect of layer I activation on layer II/III LTP induction, we found that the critical circuitry for this effect was outside layer I. Cutting the layer I fibers selectively in the slice did not prevent layer II/III LTP induction, while cuts preserving only layer I blocked layer II/III LTP after conjoint I+II/III TBS. Cholinergic fibers were evaluated as candidates for the facilitatory effect because they branch widely in both layers and they are thought to participate in synaptic modification. The cholinergic contribution to layer II/III LTP facilitation was investigated using bath application of muscarinic antagonists. Muscarinic blockade prevented facilitation of layer II/III LTP by layer I coactivation. Instead, conjoint stimulation in 10 µM atropine produced long-term depression (LTD) of layer II/III (–18±9%; N=11) as well as of layer I (–21±6%; N=11) horizontal responses. These results indicate that connections formed within layer I are ineffective in promoting LTP in the deeper-lying horizontal connections; the critical route by which layer I stimulation influenced LTP induction required the circuitry in the deeper layers, particularly the cholinergic system. Thus, it appears that diffuse cholinergic afferents provide an additional route to regulate activity-dependent synaptic modificaton in horizontal cortical connections.
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  • 170
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Key words Motor unit ; Contraction ; Stimulation pattern ; Rat ; Medial gastrocnemius
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  The effects of irregularity in the pattern of stimulation on the tension produced by motor units in the rat medial gastrocnemius muscle were investigated. The effects of decreasing as well as increasing the interpulse intervals were observed for each motor unit in tetani fused to different degrees. For each motor-unit type, it was found that the effects of these changes depended on the extent of tetanic fusion. Decreasing the interpulse interval produced an increase in tension during the tetanus: the more fused the profile of tetanus, the smaller the tension increase. Increasing the interpulse interval resulted in a decrease in tetanic tension. This effect was most prominent when the tetanic fusion index was approximately 0.75. This phenomenon resulted from the prolongation in relaxation when tetanic fusion increased, thereby preventing a decrease in tension when the interpulse interval increased. We also investigated the effects of introducing a short interpulse interval (”doublet”) at the beginning of the stimulation. The doublets produced increased tetanic tension with a more fused profile. However, the doublet enhanced the sensitivity of the tetanus to increases in interpulse interval and decreased its sensitivity to decreases in interpulse intervals. Slow-twitch motor units appeared to be significantly less sensitive to both increases and decreases in interpulse interval than fast-twitch units. This suggests that slow-twitch units are better suited for producing long-lasting contractions with a constant tension level. Conversely, the high sensibility of fast-twitch units to changes in stimulation frequency enhances their participation in regulation of tension of the muscular contraction.
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  • 171
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Key words Thyroid hormone ; RT-PCR ; p75 receptor ; trkA ; trkB ; trkC ; Septum ; Hippocampus ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Early postnatal application of thyroid hormones to rats results in morphological changes of the septo-hippocampal cholinergic and the hippocampal mossy fiber systems. Modulation in the expression of either neurotrophins and/or their receptors is postulated to be involved in these effects. In a recent study, we showed that, after thyroxine application, the mRNA expression of neurotrophins of the nerve-growth-factor (NGF) family is significantly upregulated both in septum and hippocampus. To test whether the neurotrophin receptors (the low-affinity neurotrophin receptor p75 and the specific high-affinity receptors trkA, trkB, and trkC) were also affected by hormone administration, newborn rats were treated daily with subcutaneous injections of thyroxine until postnatal day 12 (P12) at latest. Control animals received corresponding injections of saline. The pups were sacrificed at defined intervals from P9 to P14. The septal areas and the hippocampi were analyzed using the reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method for quantification of p75, trkA, trkB, and trkC mRNA levels. Analysis of variance over the total investigation period revealed no significant general increases of the gene expressions of either neurotrophin receptor, neither in the septum nor in the hippocampus, although previous results have shown marked changes in neurotrophin levels. On particular postnatal days, significant upregulation could be observed in hippocampus for trkB and trkC. From these and recent data, we conclude that modulation of neurotrophin expression rather than neurotrophin-receptor expression contributes to the morphological modifications within the hippocampal mossy fiber system and the septo-hippocampal cholinergic system.
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  • 172
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    Experimental brain research 128 (1999), S. 309-314 
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Key words GABA ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; Proliferation ; Immunohistochemistry ; Retina ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  The birthdates of GABAergic amacrine cells in the rat retina were investigated by immunocytochemistry using anti-GABA and anti-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) antisera. The ratio of co-localization of GABA to BrdU increased gradually from embryonic-day 13 (E13) and showed a peak value on E18 in the central retina and on E20 in the periphery. After birth, until postnatal-day 3 (P3), a few co-localized cells were observed in the inner nuclear layer (INL). However, in the peripheral retina, co-localized cells were observed in the INL and ganglion cell layer until P5. Our results suggest that the birthdates of GABA-immunoreactive cells vary, depending on cell-type and that there is a temporal lag in the GABA-immunoreactive cell production in the peripheral retina relative to the central retina.
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  • 173
    ISSN: 1432-1912
    Keywords: Key words Blood pressure ; Endothelium ; Human ; Mesenteric artery ; Rat ; Smooth muscle
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The majority of the findings concerning arterial physiology and pathophysiology originate from studies with experimental animals, while only limited information exists about the functional characteristics of human arteries. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to compare the control of vascular tone in vitro in mesenteric arterial rings of corresponding size (outer diameter 0.75–1 mm) from humans and Wistar-Kyoto rats. The relaxations to acetylcholine (ACh) were clearly less marked in the mesenteric arteries of humans when compared with rats. How-ever, when calcium ionophore A23187 was used as the vasodilator, the endothelium-mediated relaxations did not significantly differ between these species. The NO synthase inhibitor N G-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) attenuated the relaxations to ACh and A23187 in both groups. The endothelium-independent relaxations to the β-adrenoceptor agonist isoprenaline and the nitric oxide (NO)-donor nitroprusside were somewhat lower in human arteries, while vasodilation induced by the K+ channel opener cromakalim was similar between humans and rats. Arterial contractile sensitivity to noradrenaline and serotonin was slightly lower in human vessels, whereas contractile sensitivity to KCl was similar between these species. The contractions induced by cumulative addition of Ca2+ with noradrenaline as the agonist were effectively inhibited in both groups by the calcium channel blocker nifedipine, the effect of which was clearly more pronounced in human arteries. In conclusion, the control of vascular tone of isolated arteries of corresponding size from humans and rats appeared to be rather similar. The most marked differences between these species were the impaired endothelium-mediated dilation to ACh and the more pronounced effect of nifedipine on the Ca2+-induced contractions in human arteries.
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  • 174
    ISSN: 1432-198X
    Keywords: Key words Hypercalciuria ; Idiopathic hypercalciuria ; Bone mineral content ; 1 ; 25-Dihydroxyvitamin D ; Furosemide ; Ammonium chloride ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  The relationship between bone mineral status and hypercalciuria is controversial. The effect on bone composition of different forms of hypercalciuria was studied in female rats made hypercalciuric by 7-week administration of oral furosemide (F, n=12), intraperitoneal 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D (VD, n=11), or oral ammonium chloride (AC, n=12). Seven untreated rats served as controls (C). Hypercalciuria (mg/100 g per 24 h, mean ±SEM) of F (4.3±0.2), VD (4.1±0.4), and AC (3.9±0.3) groups was of similar intensity (C rats 1.3±0.1, P〈0.01). Weight and length gains and serum CO2, sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphate were no different among the four groups. Bone was studied by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry of left tibiae. AC rats had significantly less bone area (1.505±0.018 cm2) than VD and C (1.602±0.020 and 1.587±0.019 cm2). Bone mineral content was decreased in F (0.357±0.007 g) and AC (0.362±0.006 g) compared with VD (0.407±0.008 g) and C (0.389±0.009 g) groups. Bone mineral density was different between F (0.231±0.002 g/cm2) and VD and C rats (0.254±0.004 and 0.245±0.003 g/cm2), and also between AC (0.240±0.003 cm2) and VD rats. In these rat models, hypercalciuria of renal origin (F) and hypercalciuria caused by acid load (AC) adversely impaired bone mass.
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  • 175
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    Pediatric nephrology 13 (1999), S. 800-805 
    ISSN: 1432-198X
    Keywords: Key words In situ hybridization ; Kidney development ; Nephrogenesis ; Phosphatase activity ; Serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A ; Protein phosphorylation ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Several lines of evidence suggest that the serine/threonine protein phosphatase (PP)2A is of vital importance for cell cycle regulation, cell differentiation, and signal transduction. This prompted us to study the expression of the mRNA for PP2A catalytic isoforms α and β in the developing rat kidney using in situ hybridization histochemistry. The expression patterns of the two isoforms were strikingly similar. Both were ubiquitously expressed in early metanephric kidneys. Later in gestation they were expressed in the nephrogenic zone. Strong expression was observed on postnatal day (PN) 10. This was followed by a downregulation at PN20, i.e., when nephrogenesis is completed. The expression in the adult kidney was very weak and mainly confined to the medulla. In a phosphatase activity assay, PP2A accounted for 78% of the total serine/threonine phosphatase activity in embryonic day 15 rat kidneys. PP1 was the main contributor to the remaining activity. In conclusion, PP2A is the major serine/threonine phosphatase in fetal kidneys. The age-dependent expression pattern supports the concept that this enzyme is of particular importance during renal morphogenesis and development.
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  • 176
    ISSN: 1432-1963
    Keywords: Schlüsselwörter Rhadomyosarkom ; Klassifizierung ; Immunhistochemie ; Genetik ; Prognose ; Key words Rhabdomyosarcoma ; Classification ; Immunohistochemistry ; Genetics ; Prognosis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Description / Table of Contents: Summary Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most important and a very heterogeneous group of malignant soft tissue tumors of childhood and adolescence.The two major subtypes (embryonal and alveolar) share a common myogenic differentiation, but seem to be histogenetically not related. The so-called ’International Classification of Rhabdomyosarcoma’ includes, besides the two major subtypes, the botryoid and leiomyomatous subtypes of embryonal RMS which are associated with a better prognosis and are treated less aggressively according to current protocols. In addition, the solid variant of alveolar RMS is included in the alveolar group of RMS. The identification of the various subtypes is necessary and important because the treatment with the current protocols is also related to histology. Using conventional stains and immunohistochemistry, these subtypes are distinguishable. Genetic analysis can be helpful in the demonstration of t(2;13) or t(1;13) translocations in alveolar RMS. The identification of alveolar RMS with t(1;13) translocation might become important in the future, because this type of translocation seems to be related to a better prognosis as compared to tumors with a t(2;13) translocation.
    Notes: Zusammenfassung Rhabdomyosarkome stellen eine heterogene Gruppe von ganz verschiedenartigen, histogenetisch wohl nicht zusammengehörenden Tumoren dar. Nach der heute verwendeten „Internationalen Klassifikation” der Rhabdomyosarkome werden neben der Unterteilung in embryonalen und alveoläre Rhabdomyossarkome auch Subtypen des embryonalen RMS identifiziert (botryoider und leiomyomatöser Subtyp), die durch eine günstigere Prognose und durch die Notwendigkeit einer weniger aggressive Therapie gekennzeichnet sind. Durch Einsatz von verschiedenen histologischen und immunhistochemischen Färbungen ist die Identifizierung der verschiedenen Typen der RMS heute möglich und auch zwingend notwendig, da die einzelnen Entitäten nach ganz unterschiedlichen Therapieprotokollen behandelt werden. Der Nachweis typischer molekulargenetischer Veränderungen kann in der Unterscheidung insbesondere von embryonalen und alveolären RMS hilfreich sein. In der Regel ist die Abgrenzung zwischen diesen beiden Entitäten auch an konventionell gefärbten Schnittpräparaten möglich. Die Identifizierung von alveolären RMS mit einer t(1;13)-Translokation könnte in Zukunft eine große Bedeutung haben, da diese genetische Veränderung möglicherweise mit einer günstigeren Prognose assoziert sein könnte als die t(2;13)-Translokation.
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  • 177
    ISSN: 1432-198X
    Keywords: Key words Cystinosis ; Cysteamine ; Renal function ; Rat ; Prenatal
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  The safety of cysteamine after renal transplantation and during pregnancy is an important issue, since girls with cystinosis are in better health on cysteamine therapy and thus more likely to become pregnant. In the first study, cysteamine was given to pregnant rats on days 6.5–18.5 post conception in oral doses of 0, 37.5, 75, 100, and 150 mg/kg per day. The dams were sacrificed on day 20.5, the fetal kidneys removed and prepared for histological examination. In the second study, cysteamine was given to dams on days 6.5–19.5 post conception in oral doses of 0, 37.5, 50, and 75 mg/kg per day. Dams were allowed to give birth naturally and pups were given cysteamine on days 4–21 to yield the same oral doses of cysteamine given to the dam. Renal function was evaluated on day 35. Histological examination of fetal kidneys revealed no changes even in kidneys from fetuses with growth retardation and malformations. Furthermore, there were no alterations in renal function in offspring on day 35. These findings demonstrate that cysteamine therapy does not affect renal development in the rat. Further investigations will be required to prove whether cysteamine therapy has the potential to affect renal development in the human.
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  • 178
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Nicotine ; Mecamylamine ; Tolerance ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Chronic injections of nicotine in rats produce upregulation of nicotinic cholinergic receptors. It has been proposed that this upregulation is a reflection of receptor desensitization and is the basis of functional tolerance. Mecamylamine, a non-competitive antagonist that blocks activation of nicotinic receptors, does not prevent upregulation produced by nicotine injections. This suggests that receptor activation is not a prerequisite for nicotine-induced receptor upregulation. Therefore, the present experiments tested whether mecamylamine would also fail to prevent the development of tolerance to nicotine. Six daily pairings of mecamylamine (1 mg/kg SC) with nicotine did block the development of tolerance to nicotine-induced antinociception (0.35 mg/kg) and to the ability of nicotine to suppress milk intake (0.66 mg/kg). In another experiment, six daily injections of mecamylamine, when given alone, did not alter the effects of a subsequent, acute injection of nicotine (0.35 mg/kg) in inducing antinociception in rats. There was no evidence that after six pairings of mecamylamine with nicotine, the cues associated with mecamylamine delivery took on conditioned antagonistic properties. These findings suggest that, unlike the receptor upregulation that results from either continuous or repeated nicotine administration, the tolerance following a short series of intermittent nicotine injections is dependent on receptor activation.
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  • 179
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Amphetamine ; Behavioral sensitization ; MK-801 ; NMDA receptor ; State-dependency ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Many laboratories have reported that coadministration of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists with psychomotor stimulants prevents the development of behavioral sensitization and therefore concluded that NMDA receptor transmission is necessary for sensitization. According to an alternative ”state-dependency” interpretation, NMDA receptor antagonists do not prevent sensitization. Rather, they become a conditioned stimulus for the sensitized response, i.e., it is only elicited in response to combined administration of the NMDA receptor antagonist and the stimulant. This hypothesis is supported by progressive augmentation of the locomotor response to the drug combination during the induction phase, and expression of sensitization when challenged with the combination but not the stimulant alone. To test this hypothesis, rats were treated during a 6-day induction phase with amphetamine (Amph) alone or in combination with the competitive NMDA receptor antagonist CGS 19755 (10 mg/kg) or the non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 (0.05, 0.1 and 0.25 mg/kg). When CGS 19755 was coadministered with Amph, there was no progressive augmentation of response to the drug combination. When challenged with Amph alone, rats did not exhibit the biphasic pattern of locomotor activity characteristic of Amph sensitization. No sensitization of stereotyped behaviors was evident, although the ambulatory response was greater than that exhibited by naive rats. Results with MK-801 were complex, but progressive augmentation of response to the drug combination appeared to in part reflect sensitization to MK-801 and could be dissociated from the ability of MK-801 to prevent the development of sensitization as assessed by response to challenge with Amph alone. Many of these findings are inconsistent with predictions of the ”state-dependency” hypothesis. Moreover, the ability of NMDA receptor antagonists to prevent biochemical and electrophysiological correlates of sensitization is difficult to reconcile with the idea that sensitization develops in the presence of NMDA receptor blockade but cannot be expressed. Together, these findings suggest that the ability of NMDA receptor antagonists to prevent Amph sensitization reflects a requirement for NMDA receptor transmission during its induction.
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  • 180
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words SSRI ; Cytochrome P450 ; Serotonin ; Microdialysis ; Norfluoxetine ; Locomotor activity ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Amphetamine stimulates locomotor activity, in large part by activating central dopaminergic systems. Serotonin shares on overlapping distribution with dopamine and has been shown to modulate dopaminergic function and dopamine-mediated behaviors. The present study examined whether increasing serotonergic function, via the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine, would alter the stimulatory effects of amphetamine on locomotor activity and dopamine overflow in the nucleus accumbens. In addition, the present study determined whether fluoxetine treatment would alter the metabolism of amphetamine. Results show that 5.0 mg/kg fluoxetine potentiated the locomotor activity induced by amphetamine (0.5–1.0 mg/ kg), and enhanced the increased dopamine overflow in the nucleus accumbens induced by amphetamine. Fluoxetine treatment also resulted in a higher concentration of amphetamine in the CNS. Together, these findings indicate that acute fluoxetine treatment potentiates the locomotor stimulating and dopamine activating effects of amphetamine. Further, the results indicate that fluoxetine potentiates the effects of amphetamine by decreasing the metabolism of amphetamine, probably through inhibition of cytochrome P450 isozymes.
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  • 181
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) ; Schizophrenia ; Prepulse inhibition (PPI) ; Sensory gating ; P50 ; Auditory evoked potentials (AEP) ; Ketamine ; d-Amphetamine ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Schizophrenic patients suffer from deficits in information processing. Patients show both a decrease in P50 gating [assessed in the conditioning-testing (C-T) paradigm] and prepulse inhibition (PPI), two paradigms that assess gating. These two paradigms might have a related underlying neural substrate. Gating, as measured in both the C-T paradigm (the gating of a component of the auditory evoked potential (AEP)], and PPI can easily be measured in animals as well as in humans. This offers the opportunity to model these information processing paradigms in animals in order to investigate the effects of neurotransmitter manipulations in the brain. In order to validate the animal model for disturbances in AEP gating, d-amphetamine (0.5 and 1 mg/kg, IP) was administered. Gating of an AEP component was changed due to injection of d-amphetamine (1 mg/kg) in the same way as seen in schizophrenic patients: both the amplitude to the conditioning click and the gating were significantly reduced. Next, the effect of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist ketamine (2.5 and 10 mg/kg, IP) was investigated to assess its effects in the two gating paradigms. It was found that ketamine (10 mg/kg) did not affect gating as measured with components of the AEP. However, ketamine (10 mg/kg) disrupted PPI of the startle response to the extent that prepulse facilitation occurred. Firstly, it is concluded that AEP gating was disrupted by d-amphetamine and not by ketamine. Secondly, PPI and the C-T paradigm reflect distinct inhibitory sensory processes, since both paradigms are differentially influenced by ketamine.
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  • 182
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Alcoholism ; Alcohol drinking ; Alcohol intake ; Calcium channells ; Genetic model of alcoholism ; Pharmacotherapy ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Drugs which possess selective actions on a given voltage operated calcium (Ca2+) channel (VOCC) are reportedly involved in the pharmacological actions of alcohol. Recently it was shown that the 1,4-dihydropyridine (−)-BAY k 8644, an L-type VOCC agonist, reduces alcohol intake relatively selectively in the genetic drinking AA rat. This study determined whether (−)-BAY k 8644 would alter volitional alcohol drinking in two other genetic models of alcoholism, male P rats and a new strain of male and female high ethanol preferring (HEP) rats. By use of a standard 10-day preference test for water versus 3 to 30% alcohol, the maximally preferred concentration of alcohol was first determined for each rat individually, i.e. 9%, 13% or 15%. Then the rats were allowed free access over 24 h or limited access to alcohol for only 2 h, during which time the intakes of water and preferred solution of alcohol were recorded. After the drinking patterns stabilized for 4 days, saline, a solutol vehicle solution or (−)-BAY k 8644 was administered: (1) in a dose of 0.125, 0.25 or 0.5 mg/kg given intraperitoneally twice daily for 4 days during free access to alcohol; and (2) for 3 days in a dose of 0.125 or 0.25 mg/kg given subcutaneously 30 min prior to 2 h of limited access to alcohol. Fluid intakes were recorded for either 4 or 8 days after limited and free access conditions, respectively. Whereas the control solutions were without effect during 24 h access, (−)-BAY k 8644 caused a significant dose-dependent suppression of up to 80% in absolute g/kg and proportion of alcohol to total fluid consumed; this decline persisted in the post drug period. During the limited access paradigm, (−)-BAY k 8644 similarly reduced alcohol drinking maximally within the first 15 min of presentation of alcohol; again, this reduction persisted over the remaining 105 min of alcohol access. Also, individual levels of blood alcohol declined concurrently with the suppression of drinking. These results demonstrate that (−)-BAY k 8644 possesses a short latency of action on alcohol intake and that its salutary effects on drinking persist after the drug is terminated. Finally, the hypothesis that L-type calcium channel agonists may be useful as a therapeutic adjunct in the treatment of alcoholism is extended.
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  • 183
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    Psychopharmacology 142 (1999), S. 302-308 
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Alcohol ; Beer ; Craving ; Rat ; Naloxone ; SR 141716 ; Ritanserin
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Rats were given two weeks of home cage access to either “near-beer” (a beverage that tastes like beer but contains 〈0.5% ethanol v/v) or near-beer with added ethanol (4.5% v/v), which is simply referred to as “beer”. The two groups of rats (near-beer and beer) were then trained on a “lick-based progressive ratio paradigm” in operant chambers in which an ever increasing number of licks had to be emitted for each successive fixed unit of near-beer or beer delivered. Break points (the ratio at which responding ceased) for near-beer and beer were approximately equal under baseline conditions. Rats were then tested for the effects of the 5HT2A/2C receptor antagonist ritanserin (0.625, 2.5 or 10 mg/kg), the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone (0.625, 2.5 or 10 mg/kg) or the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist SR 141716 (0.3, 1 or 3 mg/kg). All three drugs caused a dose-dependent reduction of break-points and locomotor activity in both the beer and near-beer groups. However, the effects of SR 141716 and naloxone, but not ritanserin, on break-points were significantly more pronounced on rats drinking beer compared to those drinking near-beer. There were no such differential effects of any of the drugs on locomotor activity across the two groups. These results suggest that both SR 141716 and naloxone differentially affect the motivation to consume alcoholic beverages and may thus have potential as drugs for the treatment of alcohol craving.
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  • 184
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Nicotine ; Midazolam ; Caffeine ; Cocaine ; Amphetamine ; Pentobarbitone ; Ethanol ; Drug discrimination ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Rationale: Studies of the discriminative stimulus effects of drug mixtures provide an approach to polydrug abuse and studies on single drugs with multiple effects. Objective: This study was designed to investigate whether the use of the AND-OR procedure increases the specificity of drug mixture discriminations. Methods: Rats were trained to discriminate a mixture of amphetamine (0.4 mg/kg) plus pentobarbitone (10 mg/kg) from saline (AND-discrimination, n = 8) or to discriminate the same mixture from its component drugs alone (AND–OR discrimination, n = 9). The studies used two-lever operant procedures with a tandem variable interval 1-min fixed ratio 10 schedule of food reinforcement. Results: Under AND-discrimination conditions, there was partial generalization to nicotine and midazolam when each drug was administered singly, and there was no generalization to cocaine, caffeine or ethanol. With the AND-OR discrimination, there was no generalization to any of the preceding drugs administered singly. In “single substitution” tests, nicotine or midazolam was co-administered with the training doses of pentobarbitone and amphetamine, respectively; there was full generalization in the AND-discrimination and partial generalization under AND-OR conditions. Cocaine co-administered with pentobarbitone generalized fully under both procedures, but the dose of cocaine needed was much larger in the AND-OR than in the AND-discrimination. In “dual substitution” tests, mixtures of two novel substances were tested. Mixtures of either nicotine plus midazolam or caffeine plus ethanol produced very marked generalization under AND-discrimination conditions, but were without significant effect in the AND-OR procedure. Throughout the studies, in every instance where comparisons were made, generalization was greater or occurred at lower doses under AND- than under the AND-OR discrimination. Conclusions: The study yielded extensive evidence supporting the hypothesis that the AND-OR discrimination procedure increases the specificity of discriminations based on drug mixtures.
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  • 185
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words BC264 ; Cholecystokinin ; CCKB receptor ; Memory ; Ageing ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Rationale: The implication of CCKB receptors in cognitive processes is far from fully understood. Objective: The present study investigated the effect of propionyl-BC264, a selective agonist of CCKB receptors, in young and old rats. Methods: Cognitive functions were studied in a two-trial recognition memory task developed in our laboratory. Results: It was shown that propionyl-BC264 enhanced information processing in young as well as in old rats when injected (10 μg/kg; IP) immediately after the acquisition phase and before the retrieval trial but not before the acquisition trial. This cognitive enhancing effect was blocked by prior administration of L 365,260, a selective CCKB receptor antagonist. Conclusions: In view of the fact that BC264 is devoid of anxiogenic effects, it could be of value in the treatment of cognitive impairments associated with both normal and pathological ageing.
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  • 186
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Cocaethylene ; Cocaine ; Alcohol ; Interaction ; Schedule-controlled responding ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Rationale: Cocaethylene is a unique metabolite of cocaine, produced only in the presence of alcohol. This metabolite is pharmacologically, physiologically and behaviorally active. Further, it has been reported to interact pharmacokinetically with both cocaine and alcohol, an interaction that may mediate, in part, the interaction of cocaine and alcohol. Although cocaethylene has been shown to interact with both cocaine and alcohol, behavioral assessments of these interactions are limited. Objectives: To examine directly the behavioral interactions between cocaethylene and cocaine and between cocaethylene and alcohol, the present study assessed the effects produced by these combinations on schedule-controlled responding. Methods: Rats were first administered cumulative doses of cocaethylene, cocaine and alcohol to assess their effects alone on responding. Following this, doses of cocaethylene were combined with cumulative doses of cocaine or alcohol. Additionally, doses of cocaine or alcohol were given in combination with cumulative doses of cocaethylene. Results: When administered alone, cocaethylene, cocaine and alcohol produced dose-related decreases in responding. Further, cocaethylene shifted the dose–response functions for both cocaine and alcohol to the left and down, while cocaine and alcohol shifted the dose–response function for cocaethylene to the left and down. An isobolographic analysis revealed that these interactions were additive in nature. Conclusions: The present study suggests behavioral interactions between cocaethylene and cocaine and between cocaethylene and alcohol. The contribution of cocaethylene to the enhanced effects produced by the co-administration of cocaine and alcohol was discussed.
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  • 187
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Ibogaine ; Cocaine ; Dose-response ; Locomotor activity ; Sensitization ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Rationale: Results of single-dose studies suggest that the effects of pretreatment with the putative anti-addictive compound, ibogaine, on drug-induced locomotor behavior depends on the previous drug history of the animal. Objectives: To compare the effects of ibogaine pretreatment on the dose-locomotor response function for cocaine in rats treated chronically with either saline or cocaine. Methods: Rats were chronically treated with either cocaine (15 mg/kg, IP, once daily for 5 days, followed by 2 week withdrawal) or saline. Ibogaine (40 mg/kg, IP) or vehicle was administered and 19 h later, a cocaine dose-locomotor response test was conducted (0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, IP). Results: Chronic cocaine administration augmented the locomotor response to cocaine in chronic cocaine-treated rats, compared to acutely treated controls. Ibogaine pretreatment enhanced the locomotor effects of cocaine in both chronic and acute cocaine groups. Furthermore, due to the shape of the dose-response curve, in chronic cocaine but not in acute cocaine rats, ibogaine pretreatment enhanced the locomotor response to 5 and 10 mg/kg cocaine while decreasing the locomotor response to 40 mg/kg cocaine. Conclusions: These data demonstrate definitively that ibogaine can enhance sensitivity to the locomotor stimulant effects of cocaine, an effect which depends, in part, on the previous cocaine history of the animal.
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  • 188
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Dextromethorphan ; Dextrorphan ; Phencyclidine ; Self-administration ; Drug discrimination ; Monkey ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Rationale: Dextromethorphan (DXM) and its metabolite, dextrorphan (DXO) have neuroprotective and anticonvulsant properties through their activity as N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor channel blockers. Based on this receptor activity, coupled with reports of DXM abuse, both were evaluated for abuse potential and phencyclidine (PCP)-like behavioral effects in two animal models. Objectives and methods: The discriminative stimulus properties of DXO and DXM were tested in rats (3–56 mg/kg DXM, i.p. and 2.2–40.9 mg/kg DXO, i.p.) and rhesus monkeys (0.3–10 mg/kg DXM, i.m. and 0.25–8.0 mg/kg DXO, i.m.) trained to discriminate PCP from saline using a standard two-lever drug-discrimination paradigm under a fixed-ratio (FR) schedule of food reinforcement. In a second set of experiments, i.v. self-administration of DXO (10–100 µg/kg/infusion) and DXM (10–1000 µg/kg/infusion) were tested under a FR schedule of reinforcement in monkeys trained to lever press for infusions of PCP during daily 1-h sessions. Results: In rats, both DXM and DXO produced a dose-dependent substitution for PCP. When tested in monkeys, DXM yielded partial (1 monkey) and full (2 monkeys) substitution for PCP, while DXO substituted fully for PCP in all four subjects tested. In the self-administration study, in five of the six subjects, at least one dose of DXM served as a positive reinforcer, maintaining infusion rates above those for saline. For DXO, at least one dose maintained infusion numbers well above mean saline infusion numbers in all subjects. Conclusions: Taken together, these data show that DXM has some PCP-like effects in rats and monkeys, but that they are more reliably produced by its metabolite, DXO. Thus, high doses of DXM may have some PCP-like abuse potential in humans but this potential may be associated with, or enhanced by, metabolism of DXM to DXO.
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  • 189
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Nicotinic receptor ; Dorsal hippocampus ; Anxiety ; Phobia ; Elevated plus-maze ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract   Rationale: The elevated plus-maze provides a test situation in which distinctive states of anxiety are elicited on trials 1 and 2 and the dorsal hippocampus has previously been shown to mediate the anxiogenic effects of (–)-nicotine in the social interaction test. Objective: To determine the effects of a wide dose range of (–)-nicotine on trial 1 and 2 in the plus-maze after systemic administration and whether the dorsal hippocampus is a site mediating the anxiogenic effect of nicotine. Methods: (–)-Nicotine (0.001, 0.005, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg) was injected IP 30 min before testing for 5 min in the plus-maze. Rats receiving dorsal hippocampal infusions received bilateral infusions of 0.5 μl of artificial CSF or (–)-nicotine (0.1, 1, 4 or 8 μg). The needle was left in place for 50 s after injection and testing took place 3 min later. Rats tested on trial 1 were naive to the plus-maze, those tested on trial 2 had received a previous 5-min undrugged exposure to the maze 48 h earlier. Results: Low doses of (–)-nicotine (0.001, 0.005, 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg, IP) were without effect on either trial, but higher doses (0.5 and 1 mg/kg, IP) had anxiogenic effects on both trials, as shown by decreases in percentage time spent and percentage entries onto the open arms. Infusion of (–)-nicotine (0.1, 1, 4 and 8 μg) bilaterally into the dorsal hippocampus was without effect on trial 1, but 1 μg had an anxiolytic effect on trial 2, shown by an increased percentage time spent on the open arms. Conclusions: The results on both trials in the plus-maze after systemic administration of nicotine add to previous reports from the social interaction test that high doses of nicotine have anxiogenic effects. However, the effects of nicotine in the dorsal hippocampus are different in all three anxiety tests (anxiogenic in social interaction, ineffective on trial 1, anxiolytic on trial 2) showing that nicotinic cholinergic control in this brain region may vary depending on the state and/or type of anxiety generated by the test. The brain region(s) underlying the anxiogenic effects of IP nicotine on both trials in the plus-maze remain to be identified.
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  • 190
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    Psychopharmacology 144 (1999), S. 77-82 
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Acquisition ; Cocaine ; Heroin ; Rat ; Self-administration ; Sex difference
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract   Rationale: Despite numerous reports that male and female animals differ in behavioral responses to drugs, few studies have investigated sex differences in drug-reinforced behavior. Objectives: Acquisition of IV cocaine and heroin self-administration was compared in 20 female and 22 male Wistar rats. Methods: An autoshaping procedure was used to train rats to press a lever that resulted in either a 0.2 mg/kg infusion of cocaine or a 0.015 mg/kg infusion of heroin under a fixed-ratio 1 (FR 1) schedule. Daily sessions consisted of six 1-h autoshaping components followed by a 6-h self-administration component. During each autoshaping component, a retractable lever briefly (15 s) extended into the test chamber on a random interval schedule with a mean of either 90 s (cocaine groups) or 480 s (heroin groups) and either ten (cocaine groups) or five (heroin groups) computer-automated infusions were delivered each hour. During each 6-h self-administration component, the lever remained extended and each response on the lever resulted in an infusion of either cocaine (0.2 mg/kg) or heroin (0.015 mg/kg). The criterion for acquisition of cocaine self-administration was a mean of at least 100 infusions and the criterion for heroin self-administration was a mean of at least 20 infusions during the self-administration component over five consecutive sessions. Results: Female rats acquired both cocaine and heroin self-administration more rapidly than males. Acquisition of cocaine self-administration occurred in a greater percentage of female rats compared to males. Female rats self-administered more cocaine than males after acquisition criteria had been met. Conclusions: These findings indicate that female rats were more vulnerable than males to the acquisition of cocaine and heroin self-administration under the conditions of the present experiment.
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  • 191
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ; ABT-418 ; Methylphenidate ; Basal forebrain ; 192 IgG-saporin ; Sustained attention ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract   Rationale: Loss of telencephalic cholinergic projections has been postulated to contribute significantly to the cognitive decline associated with aging and dementia. Objective: The effects of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist ABT-418, a potential therapeutic drug for the treatment of the age- and dementia-associated cognitive disorders, were tested in an animal model of the cortical cholinergic deafferentation-induced impairments in sustained attention. Methods: Animals were trained in an operant task designed to test sustained attention performance. A partial loss of cortical cholinergic inputs was produced by infusions of 192 IgG-saporin into the basal forebrain. The effects of the systemic administration of ABT-418 (0.04, 0.13, 0.39 mg/kg) and the psychostimulant methylphenidate (0.2, 0.4, 0.8 mg/kg) were assessed. Results: Compared with sham-lesioned animals, this lesion resulted in a decrease in the relative number of hits while the relative number of correct rejections remained unaffected. Administration of ABT-418 significantly improved the relative number of hits. Furthermore, this effect of ABT-418 interacted with the effects of the lesion. Unexpectedly, this interaction was based on a significant enhancement of the performance of sham-lesioned animals while no effects were found in 192 IgG-saporin-lesioned animals. Administration of methylphenidate did not affect performance. Conclusions: While these data do not support the hypothesis that administration of ABT-418 attenuates the impairments in attentional performance that result from loss of cortical cholinergic inputs, they support previous notions about this drug’s ability to enhance cognitive processes in intact subjects.
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  • 192
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Ethanol ; Initiation ; Sucrose-substitution ; Appetitive-consummatory ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Rationale: The concepts of appetitive and consummatory behaviors provide a framework for examining ethanol-drinking behavior. However, traditional studies of ethanol self-administration using dipper procedures make separating the appetitive from the consummatory components difficult. Objective: This study compared the ability to initiate ethanol self-administration using a new sipper-tube self-administration procedure with the older established sucrose-substitution initiation model that employed dipper presented reinforcement. The new model was developed to allow for an assessment of the appetitive and consummatory components in ethanol self-administration. Methods: For the sipper-tube procedure, the rats were initiated to self-administer ethanol using a sucrose-substitution procedure that provided limited access to a sipper tube containing ethanol. This procedure required the completion of a fixed ratio requirement (FR4) in order to gain access to a sipper tube for 20 min. Initially, a 20% sucrose solution with no ethanol was provided in the sipper tube. Over sessions, the concentration of sucrose was reduced and the ethanol concentration increased, until 10% ethanol in water was the solution presented. A second group of animals was initiated to self-administer ethanol using the dipper-presentation procedure employed in our laboratory for many years. This group was used for comparison of the effectiveness of initiation in the sipper-tube procedure. Results: Following initiation, the sipper-tube rats self-administered 10% ethanol in water with intakes averaging 0.75 g/kg during the 20-min drinking period. Increasing the ethanol concentrations as high as 20%, increased intakes as high as 1.5 g/kg. The ethanol intakes observed were similar to those obtained with the dipper initiation procedure but occurred in one-third of the time. Conclusions: The sipper-tube procedure employed here results in similar ethanol self-administration behavior as has been found with a dipper presentation procedure. More importantly, however, it allows for a separation of the appetitive and consummatory components of ethanol self-administration. This separation may prove useful for examining the strength of ethanol-seeking behaviors without the confound of increasing levels of ethanol interacting with the appetitive seeking behaviors.
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  • 193
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    Psychopharmacology 144 (1999), S. 311-315 
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Anxiety ; ACTH ; Corticosterone ; GH ; Stress ; Anxiolytic ; Chlordiazepoxide ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract   Rationale: Social isolation is anxiogenic and may change the effects of anxiolytic drugs. These effects are generally attributed to ”isolation stress”. However, isolation does not affect basal corticosterone levels; thus, it cannot be considered stressful. On the contrary, isolation deprives animals of mild daily stressors that are inherent to social life. Since mild stressors were shown to be anxiolytic in rats, it was postulated that short-term, repeated stressors may abolish the effects of isolation. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether short-term, repeated, mild social stress can abolish the consequences of isolation on anxiety and on the effects of chlordiazepoxide. Methods: Rats were housed in groups or in individual cages for 5 days (isolates). Half of isolates were daily submitted to the attacks of a resident rat for 30 min per day, on 4 consecutive days (stressed isolates). On day 5, rats were treated either with vehicle or with chlordiazepoxide and submitted to the elevated plus-maze test. Endocrinological consequences of experimental manipulations were assessed in a different set of rats. Results: Plasma ACTH and corticosterone levels were similar in the three groups. Weight gain was higher, while plasma growth hormone was lower in stressed isolates, both effects being consistent with a mild stress. Isolation had a clear anxiogenic effect. This effect was completely abolished by the daily experience of social stress. Chlordiazepoxide had a significant anxiolytic effect in all three groups. Its effects on classical plus-maze variables did not differentiate the three groups. However, chlordiazepoxide decreased risk assessment activity only in isolates. Conclusions: The lack of appropriate endocrinological changes challenges the concept of ”isolation stress”. However, isolation was anxiogenic in our study and it also induced subtle changes in the effects of chlordiazepoxide. It appears that mild daily stressors have a protective effect against the effects of isolation.
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  • 194
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Hippocampus ; Lesion ; Glutamate receptor and release ; Dopamine receptor ; Locomotor activity ; Schizophrenia ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract In 6-week and 8-week-old rats (pre- and postpubertally) with neonatal excitotoxic lesions of the ventral hippocampus with ibotenic acid (IBO), we have studied apomorphine-induced motor activity and glutamate and dopamine D1 and D2 binding sites in the hippocampus, striatum, nc. accumbens and frontal cortex as well as K+-stimulated (3H)-D-aspartate release from hippocampal and frontal cortical slices. Specific glutamate binding was enhanced in the frontal cortex of 8-week-old IBO-treated animals, whereas that in other brain regions remained unchanged. Both D1 and D2 binding sites were downregulated in the striatum without changes in other brain structures. In 6-week-old rats, neither the glutamate nor the dopamine binding sites were altered. The amino acid release from hippocampal and frontal cortical slices of adult IBO treated rats was significantly decreased in comparison to controls, whereas in 6-week-old rats, no significant alterations were detectable. The additionally monitored motor activity was enhanced only in adult IBO-lesioned rats after apomorphine pretreatment. The present data are in agreement with the hypothesis of hyperactive dopamine and hypoactive glutamate systems in schizophrenia and are discussed in the light of schizophrenia-like behavioral changes in rats after postnatal hippocampal IBO lesion.
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  • 195
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Amphetamine ; Fluoxetine ; Intracranial self-stimulation thresholds ; Withdrawal ; Depression ; Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ; Psychostimulant ; Reward ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Rationale: Withdrawal from chronic amphetamine administration is characterized by deficits in reward that resemble some symptoms of depression. Nevertheless, the effects of long-term administration and withdrawal from other drugs, such as fluoxetine, that have the potential to elevate mood in depressed individuals have not been characterized. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to characterize the effects of withdrawal from chronic amphetamine or fluoxetine administration on central reward function. Furthermore, the effects of acute or chronic pretreatment with fluoxetine on responsiveness to an acute amphetamine challenge were examined to identify potential interactions between the two drugs. Methods: A rate-independent discrete-trial threshold procedure was used to characterize self-stimulation behavior in rats prepared with bipolar electrodes in the medial forebrain bundle. Results: Elevations in intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) thresholds, reflecting a decrease in the reward value of the stimulation, were associated with withdrawal from various chronic amphetamine treatment regimens (1–5 mg/kg, three injections per day for 1, 2, 4 or 6 days). The magnitude and duration of threshold elevations were proportional to the duration and dose of amphetamine treatment prior to withdrawal. In contrast, no alterations in ICSS thresholds were associated with withdrawal from chronic fluoxetine treatment (5 mg/kg/day for 15 days). While neither acute nor chronic administration of fluoxetine alone altered ICSS thresholds, chronic pretreatment with fluoxetine blocked the threshold-lowering effect of acute amphetamine administration (4 mg/kg), but acute pretreatment did not. Amphetamine-induced decreases in response latency, a measure of motor performance, were not affected by either chronic or acute fluoxetine pretreatment. Conclusions: The results of these experiments suggest that chronic fluoxetine treatment may induce adaptive changes in serotonergic transmission that, in themselves, do not alter the function of central reward processes, but may alter the ability of amphetamine to potentiate ICSS reward. In addition, the lack of change in ICSS thresholds during withdrawal from the chronic fluoxetine treatment regimen used suggests that withdrawal from all mood-altering drugs may not necessarily produce changes in central reward functions.
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  • 196
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Nicotine ; Nornicotine ; Behavioral sensitization ; Locomotor activity ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Rationale: Nicotine, a tobacco alkaloid, is known to be important in the acquisition and maintenance of tobacco smoking. Nornicotine, an active nicotine metabolite, stimulates nicotinic receptors and may produce psychomotor effects similar to nicotine. Objective: The present study determined the effects of acute and repeated administration of nornicotine on locomotor activity and compared its effects with those of nicotine. Methods: R(+)-Nornicotine (0.3–10 mg/kg), S(–)-nornicotine (0.3–10 mg/kg), S(–)-nicotine (0.1–1 mg/kg) or saline was administered s.c. to rats acutely or repeatedly (eight injections at 48-h intervals). Activity was recorded for 50 min immediately after each injection. Results: S(–)-Nicotine produced transient hypoactivity, followed by dose-related hyperactivity. Repeated S(–)-nicotine administration resulted in tolerance to the hypoactivity and sensitization to the hyperactivity. Subsequent testing following a saline injection revealed evidence of conditioned hyperactivity. Acute administration of 0.3 mg/kg or 1 mg/kg R(+)- or S(–)-nornicotine produced no effect. Transient hypoactivity was observed at 3 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg R(+)-nornicotine and at 10 mg/kg S(–)-nornicotine. However, rebound hyperactivity was not observed following acute administration of either nornicotine enantiomer, suggesting that nornicotine-induced psychomotor effects differ qualitatively from those of S(–)-nicotine. Repeated R(+)-nornicotine resulted in tolerance to the transient hypoactivity, however hyperactivity was not observed. Repeated S(–)-nornicotine resulted in tolerance to the hypoactivity and the appearance of hyperactivity. Repeated administration of either nornicotine enantiomer resulted in a dose-dependent alteration in response to a 1 mg/kg S(–)-nicotine challenge, suggesting some commonalities in the mechanism of action. Conclusion: Nornicotine likely contributes to the neuropharmacological effects of nicotine and tobacco use.
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  • 197
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    Psychopharmacology 146 (1999), S. 19-23 
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Serotonin ; Sensitization ; Rat ; Dopamine opiate ; Movement disorder
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract   Rationale: Repeated high doses of morphine in the rat cause stereotypic gnawing behavior that can be re-expressed by a low dose of morphine weeks and even months after the initial treatment. The determination of the role of serotonin in this sensitized morphine-induced behavior has both empirical and theoretical relevance. Objectives: To determine whether the serotonin-reuptake blocker fluoxetine will block the development and/or the expression of this opiate-induced stereotypy. Methods: Rats were given four 10-mg/kg injections of morphine alone or with 5.0 mg/kg fluoxetine over a 36-h period. At weekly intervals for 6 weeks after the last of the sensitizing morphine doses, all rats were challenged with 4.0 mg/kg morphine. At week 2 and week 4, however, the morphine was co-administered with fluoxetine. Results: Fluoxetine completely blocked the expression of the morphine-induced stereotypy; however, when the morphine/fluoxetine-treated rats were challenged with morphine alone, they expressed similar degrees of stereotypy as the rats that initially only received morphine. Conclusions: The results indicate that increasing synaptic serotonin will block the expression but not the development of sensitization to the oral stereotypic effects of repeated high doses of morphine. Also, despite the complete blocking of the morphine effect by fluoxetine during the sensitization phase, the presence of significant biting by these rats during the challenge with morphine alone argues that conditioning factors are not a necessary component for the morphine sensitization to develop.
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  • 198
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Delayed non-matching to position task ; Scopolamine ; ENA 713 ; Exelon ; Working memory ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract   Rationale: The disruption of working memory in the delayed non-matching to position (DNMTP) task by the muscarinic antagonist, scopolamine, is considered to be a model of the spatial working memory deficit in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. Objective: To investigate whether ENA 713 (Exelon) (0.1, 0.5 mg/kg, IP), an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, would reverse the effects of scopolamine in the DNMTP task. Methods: Male Lister Hooded rats were trained to criterion in an operant DNMTP task (0- to 16-s delay intervals) before receiving vehicle, scopolamine (0.05 mg/kg, SC) alone, ENA 713 (0.1, 0.5 mg/kg, IP) alone, or combinations of scopolamine and ENA 713, in two variations of the task – with and without barriers inserted between the food magazine and the two levers. Barriers were inserted to prevent the use of positional strategies to perform the task, since this behaviour may confound the conclusions of the effect of drugs on working memory. Results: It was found that: (i) scopolamine significantly reduced choice accuracy delay-dependently in both test situations while modifying non-mnemonic measures of task performance delay-independently, indicating an impairment of working memory; (ii) ENA 713 (0.5 mg/kg) significantly attenuated the scopolamine-induced impairment of working memory and significantly reduced the scopolamine-induced changes in some non-mnemonic measures of task performance; (iii) the presence of barriers did not alter the effects of scopolamine and ENA 713 on working memory. Conclusion: ENA 713 reversed the working memory deficit induced by scopolamine. These results are consistent with the attenuation of learning and memory disruptions due to cholinergic dysfunction by ENA 713 in other preclinical assays, and predict a drug-induced improvement in working memory in AD patients.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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  • 199
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Compulsion ; Addiction ; Cocaine ; Amphetamine ; Cannabis ; Phencyclidine ; Nucleus accumbens ; Amygdala ; Frontal cortex ; Limbic ; Stimulus-reward association ; Conditioned reward ; Sensitization ; Drug-seeking ; Inhibitory control ; Cognition ; Conditioned stimulus ; Incentive motivational ; Dopamine ; Rat ; Monkey
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Drug abuse and dependence define behavioral states involving increased allocation of behavior towards drug seeking and taking at the expense of more appropriate behavioral patterns. As such, addiction can be viewed as increased control of behavior by the desired drug (due to its unconditioned, rewarding properties). It is also clear that drug-associated (conditioned) stimuli acquire heightened abilities to control behaviors. These phenomena have been linked with dopamine function within the ventral striatum and amygdala and have been described specifically in terms of motivational and incentive learning processes. New data are emerging that suggest that regions of the frontal cortex involved in inhibitory response control are directly affected by long-term exposure to drugs of abuse. The result of chronic drug use may be frontal cortical cognitive dysfunction, resulting in an inability to inhibit inappropriate unconditioned or conditioned responses elicited by drugs, by related stimuli or by internal drive states. Drug-seeking behavior may thus be due to two related phenomena: (1) augmented incentive motivational qualities of the drug and associated stimuli (due to limbic/amygdalar dysfunction) and (2) impaired inhibitory control (due to frontal cortical dysfunction). In this review, we consider the neuro-anatomical and neurochemical substrates subserving inhibitory control and motivational processes in the rodent and primate brain and their putative impact on drug seeking. The evidence for cognitive impulsivity in drug abuse associated with dysfunction of the frontostriatal system will be discussed, and an integrative hypothesis for compulsive reward-seeking in drug abuse will be presented.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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  • 200
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Schizophrenia ; Extrapyramidal side-effect ; Neuroleptic ; Antipsychotic ; Dopamine D2 receptor ; Serotonin 5-HT1A receptor ; Intrinsic activity ; Paw test ; Catalepsy ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Rationale: Combining neuroleptics with 5-HT1A ligands is thought to improve the preclinical profile of neuroleptics and may be of interest in the development of new compounds that have greater therapeutic potential and/or are better tolerated. Objective: To examine 1) the ability of 5-HT1A ligands to alter the effects of neuroleptics in preclinical models for antipsychotic potential (hindlimb retraction time in the paw test) and extrapyramidal side-effects (forelimb retraction time in the paw test; catalepsy tests), 2) the role of intrinsic activity at 5-HT1A receptors in the modulatory effects of 5-HT1A ligands, and 3) the generality of the interactions across neuroleptics. Methods: The effects of different doses of 5-HT1A ligands with intrinsic activity ranging from high (e.g., 8-OH-DPAT) to low (e.g., WAY 100135) administered together with a fixed, high dose of the neuroleptics haloperidol, risperidone, and tropapride were examined in the paw test and on catalepsy. Results: Firstly, the 5-HT1A agonists 8-OH-DPAT and ipsapirone attenuated the extrapyramidal-like effects of haloperidol and risperidone more than their therapeutic-like effects; this was not observed for tropapride, where all of its effects were markedly attenuated. Secondly, neither the weak 5-HT1A agonist WAY 100135 nor the silent antagonist WAY 100635 attenuated the effects of neuroleptics. Thirdly, neuroleptics apparently differed in their sensitivity to interactions with 5-HT1A agonists inasmuch as 8-OH-DPAT and ipsapirone attenuated the effects of tropapride on hindlimb retraction times more than those of haloperidol or risperidone. Conclusions: The present data suggest that 5-HT1A agonists with intermediate or high, but not low, intrinsic activity may abolish the extrapyramidal effects of neuroleptics. Together with results of previous studies, it appears that 5-HT1A agonists alter the antipsychotic-like effects of neuroleptics, although this may depend on the neuroleptic studied.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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