Identification and evaluation of [11C]GSK931145 as a novel ligand for imaging the type 1 glycine transporter with positron emission tomography

The type-1 glycine transporter (GlyT1) is an important target for the development of new medications for schizophrenia. A specific and selective positron emission tomography (PET) GlyT1 ligand would facilitate drug development studies to determine whether a drug reaches this target and help establish suitable doses for clinical trials. This article describes the evaluation of three candidate GlyT1 PET radioligands (GSK931145, GSK565710, and GSK991022) selected from a library of compounds based on favorable physicochemical and pharmacological properties. Each candidate was successfully labeled using [(11)C]methyl iodide or [(11)C]methyl triflate and administered to a pig pre- and postadministration with a pharmacological dose of a GlyT1 inhibitor to determine their suitability as PET ligands in the porcine brain in vivo. All three candidate ligands were analyzed quantitatively with compartment analyses employing a plasma input function. [(11)C]GSK931145 showed good brain penetration and a heterogeneous distribution in agreement with reported GlyT1 localization. Following pretreatment with GSK565710, uptake of [(11)C]GSK931145 was reduced to homogeneous levels. Although [(11)C]GSK565710 also showed good brain penetration and a heterogeneous distribution, the apparent level of specific binding was reduced compared to [(11)C]GSK931145. In contrast, [(11)C]GSK991022 showed a much lower brain penetration and resultant signal following pretreatment with GSK565710. Based on these findings [(11)C]GSK931145 was identified as the most promising ligand for imaging GlyT1 in the porcine brain, possessing good brain penetration, specific signal, and reversible kinetics. [(11)C]GSK931145 is now being progressed into higher species.

Processing of facial emotion expression in major depression: a review

Processing of facial expressions of emotion is central to human interaction, and has important effects on behaviour and affective state. A range of methods and paradigms have been used to investigate various aspects of abnormal processing of facial expressions in major depression, including emotion specific deficits in recognition accuracy, response biases and attentional biases. The aim of this review is to examine and interpret data from studies of facial emotion processing in major depression, in the context of current knowledge about the neural correlates of facial expression processing of primary emotions. The review also discusses the methodologies used to examine facial expression processing. Studies of facial emotion processing and facial emotion recognition were identified up to December 2009 utilizing MEDLINE and Web of Science. Although methodological variations complicate interpretation of findings, there is reasonably consistent evidence of a negative response bias towards sadness in individuals with major depression, so that positive (happy), neutral or ambiguous facial expressions tend to be evaluated as more sad or less happy compared with healthy control groups. There is also evidence of increased vigilance and selective attention towards sad expressions and away from happy expressions, but less evidence of reduced general or emotion-specific recognition accuracy. Data is complicated by the use of multiple paradigms and the heterogeneity of major depression. Future studies should address methodological problems, including variations in patient characteristics, testing paradigms and procedures, and statistical methods used to analyse findings.

Clinical practice recommendations for bipolar disorder

OBJECTIVE

To provide clinically relevant evidence-based recommendations for the management of bipolar disorder in adults that are informative, easy to assimilate and facilitate clinical decision-making.

METHOD

A comprehensive literature review of over 500 articles was undertaken using electronic database search engines (e.g. MEDLINE, PsychINFO and Cochrane reviews). In addition articles, book chapters and other literature known to the authors were reviewed. The findings were then formulated into a set of recommendations that were developed by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians who routinely deal with mood disorders. These preliminary recommendations underwent extensive consultative review by a broader advisory panel that included experts in the field, clinical staff and patient representatives.

RESULTS

The clinical practice recommendations for bipolar disorder (bipolar CPR) summarise evidence-based treatments and provide a synopsis of recommendations relating to each phase of the illness. They are designed for clinical use and have therefore been presented succinctly in an innovative and engaging manner that is clear and informative.

CONCLUSION

These up-to-date recommendations provide an evidence-based framework that incorporates clinical wisdom and consideration of individual factors in the management of bipolar disorder. Further, the novel style and practical approach should promote their uptake and implementation.

Clinical practice recommendations for depression

OBJECTIVE

To provide clinically relevant evidence-based recommendations for the management of depression in adults that are informative, easy to assimilate and facilitate clinical decision making.

METHOD

A comprehensive literature review of over 500 articles was undertaken using electronic database search engines (e.g. MEDLINE, PsychINFO and Cochrane reviews). In addition articles, book chapters and other literature known to the authors were reviewed. The findings were then formulated into a set of recommendations that were developed by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians who routinely deal with mood disorders. The recommendations then underwent consultative review by a broader advisory panel that included experts in the field, clinical staff and patient representatives.

RESULTS

The clinical practice recommendations for depression (Depression CPR) summarize evidence-based treatments and provide a synopsis of recommendations relating to each phase of the illness. They are designed for clinical use and have therefore been presented succinctly in an innovative and engaging manner that is clear and informative.

CONCLUSION

These up-to-date recommendations provide an evidence-based framework that incorporates clinical wisdom and consideration of individual factors in the management of depression. Further, the novel style and practical approach should promote uptake and implementation.

The recognition of facial expressions of emotion in Alzheimer's disease: a review of findings

OBJECTIVE

To provide a selective review of the literature on the recognition of facial expressions of emotion in Alzheimer's disease (AD), to evaluate whether these patients show variation in their ability to recognise different emotions and whether any such impairments are instead because of a general decline in cognition.

METHODS

A narrative review based on relevant articles identified from PubMed and PsycInfo searches from 1987 to 2007 using keywords 'Alzheimer's', 'facial expression recognition', 'dementia' and 'emotion processing'.

CONCLUSION

Although the literature is as yet limited, with several methodological inconsistencies, AD patients show poorer recognition of facial expressions, with particular difficulty with sad expressions. It is unclear whether poorer performance reflects the general cognitive decline and/or verbal or spatial deficits associated with AD or whether the deficits reflect specific neuropathology. This under-represented field of study may help to extend our understanding of social functioning in AD. Future work requires more detailed analyses of ancillary cognitive measures, more ecologically valid facial displays of emotion and a reference situation that more closely approximates an actual social interaction.

The response to sulpiride in major depression before and after cognitive behavioural therapy: D2 receptor function

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have suggested that antidepressant treatment of depression may potentiate dopamine transmission through increased sensitivity of postsynaptic D2 receptors.

METHOD

D2 receptor function was assessed in 24 patients with major depression before and 16 patients after 16 weeks of treatment with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) using a challenge with a selective D2 antagonist, sulpiride. Four hundred milligrams of sulpiride was administered orally on two test days and response was measured by the change in prolactin levels and changes in self-rating scale measures of mood, anxiety and pleasure.

RESULTS

The prolactin response to sulpiride (as measured by the maximum prolactin level) was significantly increased after CBT (z = -2.792, p = 0.005). Sulpiride resulted in an improvement on mood ratings on both test days, but after CBT, this effect was significantly diminished as measured by the Profile of Mood States score (t = -2.27, p = 0.038).

CONCLUSIONS

After 16 weeks of CBT, we detected an enhanced prolactin response to sulpiride, suggesting an increased sensitivity of D2 receptor functioning.

Cognitive effects of acute tryptophan depletion in the healthy elderly

BACKGROUND

Studies investigating the cognitive effects of serotonin depletion, using the technique of acute tryptophan depletion (ATD) by dietary means, have generally suggested that ATD impairs delayed verbal recall and recognition. In two previous studies in the elderly, this result has not been replicated and ATD impaired working memory. These results may be susceptible to type II error but a similar testing schedule in the individual studies allows data to be pooled in a larger analysis.

METHODS

Data from two separate double-blind placebo-controlled studies of the effects of ATD on cognitive function in the elderly were combined. In one study, a low dose and in the other a high dose of amino acids was used. In a repeated measures analysis of variance, the effects of ATD and the interaction of this with the other factors (age, gender and dose) on cognitive measures was examined.

RESULTS

Data from 31 healthy subjects aged between 60 and 81 years were analysed. There were no main effects of ATD or consistent interactions between ATD and age, gender or dose. There were significant interactions between ATD, gender and dose. When tryptophan depleted, females having the higher dose drink had reduced scores on Digit span and immediate recall on the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test.

CONCLUSION

The enlarged data set did not confirm an overall effect of ATD on working memory or on delayed word recall but does suggest an effect of ATD on encoding or registration in the subgroup of females receiving a higher strength drink.

Patient and nurse evaluation of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone administration methods: comparison of two follitropin injection pens

OBJECTIVE

Ovarian stimulation by injection of gonadotrophins is an essential part of assisted reproductive technology (ART) protocols. Two studies (a German pilot study and an Australian study) aimed to assess and compare the ease-of-use, safety and efficacy of two follitropin injection pens.

METHODS

Patient satisfaction (questionnaire) and safety were assessed in patients undergoing ART at a German centre for in vitro fertilisation (IVF), randomised either to the follitropin alfa pen or to the follitropin beta pen. Patient satisfaction (questionnaire) was assessed in patients undergoing ART at an Australian IVF centre, using the follitropin alfa pen, and previous experience with the follitropin beta pen was compared. The experience of IVF nurses with both pens was assessed using a similar questionnaire. Statistical significance was not determined in either study.

RESULTS

In the German study (n = 31), patients favored the follitropin alfa pen over the follitropin beta pen because they found preparation faster, were more confident of accurate dosing and had to make fewer dose adjustments. Treatments delivered by both pens were well tolerated; eight adverse events (AEs) occurred, two AEs (including one case of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, OHSS) in two patients using the follitropin alfa pen and six AEs (including three cases of OHSS, one of which was serious) in six patients using the follitropin beta pen. Patients (n = 140) and nurses (n = 11) in the Australian study scored the follitropin alfa pen highly and patients favored it over the follitropin beta pen; the risk of OHSS was also considered greater in the follitropin beta pen group, with nearly a twofold higher rate of cycle cancellation due to OHSS risk compared with the follitropin alfa pen group.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, results from these two small studies suggest that the follitropin alfa pen was effective, well tolerated, and patient and nurse acceptance appeared to be higher for the follitropin alfa pen versus the follitropin beta pen, which may benefit compliance, leading to improved outcomes.

Individual discrimination following 24 h of pair contact in one- and seven-day-old Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

Abstract

This study examined the capacity of young Japanese quail to discriminate between a familiar cagemate (F) and an unfamiliar conspecific (U). Two tests of discrimination were initially compared: a simultaneous double choice test and a pair test allowing social pecking. Discrimination was more clearly demonstrated in the choice test, which was, therefore, used in the subsequent experiments. One-day-old chicks that had been housed in pairs after hatching spent significantly more time near F than a U stimulus bird and more frequently approached and attempted to interact with F. Seven-day-old chicks that were raised in large groups for the first 6 days, then in pairs for 24 h, subsequently displayed no significant differences in their responses to their recent pair partner versus an unfamiliar chick. On the other hand, chicks that were raised in pairs for 6 days, then housed with a new partner (F) for 24 h, more frequently approached and attempted to interact with F than a U bird. These results show that 24 h of pair contact beginning at hatching or 6 days of age is sufficient for quail to discriminate between a familiar cagemate and a stranger. This discrimination ability is influenced by the chicks' early social experience.

Demolition experts: management of the parafunctional patient: 1. Diagnosis and prevention

The first part of this paper discusses the clinical problems associated with providing predictable restorative dental care for parafunctional patients. The identification of patients with this problem is important, as is patient understanding and the optimization of preventive approaches, all of which are considered. In the second part, restorative strategies will be presented.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Parafunctional patients need to understand the difficulties associated with managing their problem. The preservation of tooth tissue is of paramount importance to ensure long-term success.

Salmonella in slaughter pigs in Northern Ireland: prevalence and use of statistical modelling to investigate sample and abattoir effects

A cross-sectional survey of pigs at slaughter in Northern Ireland was undertaken to determine the overall prevalence of Salmonella infection. In total 513 pigs were sampled across four abattoirs, with Salmonella spp. isolated from the caecal contents of 31.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 27.4%-35.4%) and from 40.0% (95% CI 35.8%-44.3%) of swabs taken from the surface of carcasses post-evisceration. Two serovars, S. Typhimurium and S. Derby, were predominant and accounted for 52% and 35% respectively, of isolates from caecal contents. Antimicrobial resistance was most common amongst isolates of S. Typhimurium with 63.9% multiresistant compared to 10.8% of S. Derby isolates and 8.0% of other Salmonella spp. The proportion of pigs showing serological evidence of infection was significantly lower, with 11.5% (95% CI 8.9%-14.6%) and 10.1% (95% CI 7.7%-13.1%) of meat-juice samples giving positive and suspect reactions, respectively. The ratio of caecal positive to serologically positive animals is higher than in a number of other studies and may suggest recent infection, such as infection occurring during transport or lairage, in a proportion of animals. Statistical (logistic regression) modelling was used to investigate the association between the risk of Salmonella on carcasses and the isolation of Salmonella from caecal contents, and/or the serological status of the animal, while adjusting for other possible explanatory and confounding variables such as abattoir, season, day and time of sampling. The occurrence of Salmonella in caecal contents (odds ratio [OR] 2.39; 95% CI 1.52-3.77) or a suspect/positive serological reaction (OR 2.15; 95% CI 1.28-3.61) were both independently associated with the occurrence of Salmonella on carcasses in homebred, but interestingly not in imported animals. In most multivariable models there were also significant differences in carcass contamination between seasons with the highest odds of carcass contamination occurring in the April to June quarter and the lowest in the October to December quarter. Differences between sampling days were also evident with the highest odds of carcass contamination at the end of the week (Fridays) and the lowest at the start of the week (Mondays). These associations, after adjusting for the caecal or serological result, would suggest the occurrence of abattoir effects, such varying residual levels of abattoir contamination, which are independent of the individual pig status.

Demolition Experts: Management of the Parafunctional Patient: 2. Restorative Management Strategies

The second part of this paper discusses strategies for providing restorative dental care for the parafunctional patient. These include direct composite resin restorations, cast metal resin-retained restorations and dentine-bonded crowns, design features for porcelain fused to metal crowns and denture design. Specific features can help enhance predictability in the hostile environment of increased occlusal loading and parafunction.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Appropriate planning, design and execution of restorative procedures can reduce the chance of failure. Patients may have to accept a compromise between appearance and restoration survival/maintenance.

Rational design, synthesis, and structure–activity relationship of benzoxazolones: New potent mglu5 receptor antagonists based on the fenobam structure

A novel class of potent and stable mGlu5 receptor antagonists was developed by combining information from a high-throughput screening campaign with the structure of the known anxiolytic fenobam. Representative compounds from this class show favorable pharmacokinetic properties and are active in an in vivo model of anxiety.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of fenobam analogs as mGlu5 receptor antagonists

Optimization of affinity and microsomal stability led to identification of the potent, metabolically stable fenobam analog 4l. Robust in vivo efficacy of 4l was demonstrated in four different models of anxiety. Additionally, a ligand based pharmacophore alignment of fenobam and MPEP is proposed.

Management of miscarriage: expectant, medical, or surgical? Results of randomised controlled trial (miscarriage treatment (MIST) trial)

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain whether a clinically important difference exists in the incidence of gynaecological infection between surgical management and expectant or medical management of miscarriage.

DESIGN

Randomised controlled trial comparing medical and expectant management with surgical management of first trimester miscarriage.

SETTING

Early pregnancy assessment units of seven hospitals in the United Kingdom.

PARTICIPANTS

Women of less than 13 weeks' gestation, with a diagnosis of early fetal demise or incomplete miscarriage.

INTERVENTIONS

Expectant management (no specific intervention); medical management (vaginal dose of misoprostol preceded, for women with early fetal demise, by oral mifepristone 24-48 hours earlier); surgical management (surgical evacuation).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Confirmed gynaecological infection at 14 days and eight weeks; need for unplanned admission or surgical intervention.

RESULTS

1200 women were recruited: 399 to expectant management, 398 to medical management, and 403 to surgical management. No differences were found in the incidence of confirmed infection within 14 days between the expectant group (3%) and the surgical group (3%) (risk difference 0.2%, 95% confidence interval - 2.2% to 2.7%) or between the medical group (2%) and the surgical group (0.7%, - 1.6% to 3.1%). Compared with the surgical group, the number of unplanned hospital admissions was significantly higher in both the expectant group (risk difference - 41%, - 47% to - 36%) and the medical group (- 10%, - 15% to - 6%). Similarly, when compared with the surgical group, the number of women who had an unplanned surgical curettage was significantly higher in the expectant group (risk difference - 39%, - 44% to - 34%) and the medical group (- 30%, - 35% to - 25%).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of gynaecological infection after surgical, expectant, and medical management of first trimester miscarriage is low (2-3%), and no evidence exists of a difference by the method of management. However, significantly more unplanned admissions and unplanned surgical curettage occurred after expectant management and medical management than after surgical management. TRIAL REGISTRATION NATIONAL RESEARCH REGISTER: N0467011677/N0467073587.

Self-inflicted dental injury presenting as localized anterior tooth surface loss

A case of localized anterior tooth surface loss (TSL) with an unusual aetiology is reported. Whilst suffering from a bout of acute depression and anxiety, a 29-year-old female caused significant trauma to her anterior dentition with a pair of fabric scissors. The presentation and management of this case is described.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Although tooth surface loss is a common clinical finding in many patient groups, practitioners should be aware of possible unusual aetiologies which may be involved.

PHARMAC and treatment of bipolar depression--the limits of utilitarianism

Bipolar disorder affects 1.6% of the population. The majority of the burden of illness for people with bipolar disorder is due to depression. Suicide rates for people with bipolar disorder are 15 times higher than in the general population, and the majority of these deaths occur during depressive episodes. More effective prevention of such depressive episodes is important. Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant and a mood stabiliser that is more effective at preventing depressive relapses than most other mood stabilising drugs. Its use for this purpose has been recommended by English language treatment guidelines since 2002. Lamotrigine is approved for use in the prophylaxis of depression in bipolar disorder and for epilepsy. PHARMAC subsidises its use in treatment-resistant epilepsy (subject to a 'special authority' application) but not in bipolar disorder. The New Zealand Mental Health Strategy and the imminent New Zealand Suicide Strategy identify reducing suicide as a key goal. Among other initiatives, this requires effective treatment of bipolar depression, yet a treatment likely to support this is not currently subsidised.

Anorexia and weight loss in male rats 24 h following single dose treatment with orexin-1 receptor antagonist SB-334867

Acute systemic treatment with the selective orexin-1 receptor antagonist SB-334867 (30 mg/kg, i.p.) has been reported not only to inhibit food intake and to accelerate behavioural satiety in rats, but also to produce a significant loss of bodyweight over the 24 h period post-dosing. The present studies were designed to test the hypothesis that the inhibition of weight gain following acute treatment with SB-334867 is due to a persistent anorectic action of the compound. In Experiment 1, the acute effects of SB-334867 (30 mg/kg, i.p.) on food intake and behaviour in a 1 h test with palatable mash were assessed as a function of injection-test interval. Results confirmed that, when administered 30 min prior to testing, SB-334867 significantly suppressed mash intake and accelerated behavioural satiety. More importantly, significant anorexia and behavioural change were also observed when animals were tested 24 h, but not 48 h, post-dosing. As previously reported, all animals treated with the orexin-1 receptor antagonist lost bodyweight over the 24 h period following acute treatment. The generality of these findings was confirmed in Experiment 2, where acute treatment with SB-334867 (30 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly suppressed home cage chow consumption over the 24 h period post-dosing, an effect also accompanied by a significant loss of bodyweight. The results of Experiment 3 showed that, following i.p. administration of 30 mg/kg, SB-334867 has good CNS penetration, reaches peak plasma and brain concentrations at 30 min, and maintains good exposure over 4 h post-dosing. Overall, current data support the hypothesis that a persistent anorectic action contributes to the significant loss of bodyweight observed 24 h following acute dosing with SB-334867. As the compound is virtually undetectable in plasma or brain beyond 8 h post-dosing, and since nothing is known about potentially active metabolites, we consider the possibility that single dose treatment with SB-334867 results in enduring alterations to the orexin-1 receptor and/or downstream signalling pathways.

The effect of the mGlu5 receptor antagonist MPEP in rodent tests of anxiety and cognition: a comparison

RATIONALE

Antagonists at the metabotropic glutamate 5 (mGlu5) receptor produce robust anxiolytic effects in a number of rat tests. However, there is evidence that mGlu5 receptor antagonists may also impair working memory and spatial learning following intracerebroventricular administration.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to compare the effect of the potent and selective mGlu5 receptor antagonist, 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-piperidine (MPEP), administered systemically on rodent tests of cognition and anxiety.

METHODS

MPEP was assessed in the following rodent tests, 60 min following oral administration: Geller--Seifter conflict, conditioned emotional response (CER), Vogel conflict, delayed match to position (DMTP) and Morris water maze. Diazepam was also tested as a comparator.

RESULTS

MPEP had a significant anxiolytic effect, comparable in magnitude to diazepam, at 10--30 mg/kg in the two conflict and CER tasks. There was no effect of MPEP up to 30 mg/kg on working memory in the DMTP task, but at 100 mg/kg, there was a significant reduction in choice accuracy at the longest delay interval (24 s). MPEP (3--30 mg/kg) did not significantly impair spatial learning in the Morris water maze, although during the last probe trial, 30-mg/kg-treated rats were significantly less accurate than controls. In contrast, diazepam significantly impaired performance in both the DMTP and Morris water maze tests. Assessment of plasma and brain concentration of MPEP approximately 75 min following oral administration showed a dose linearity from 3 to 30 mg/kg and good brain penetration, i.e. a brain/plasma ratio of 3.1.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral administration of the selective mGlu5 receptor antagonist MPEP induces a robust anxiolytic-like effect in rat conflict tests comparable to that seen with diazepam, but in contrast to diazepam, MPEP does not impair working memory or spatial learning at anxiolytic doses.

Satiety enhancement by selective orexin-1 receptor antagonist SB-334867: influence of test context and profile comparison with CCK-8S

Acute systemic treatment with the selective orexin-1 (OX1R) antagonist SB-334867 reduces food intake in rats, an effect associated with an acceleration in behavioural satiety and unrelated to gross behavioural disruption, alterations in palatability, or toxicity. However, as enhanced satiety is behaviourally indexed by an earlier-than-normal transition from eating to resting, and since orexin-A has been implicated in mechanisms of arousal, it remains possible that sedation contributes to the anorectic effect of acute OX1R blockade. Previous work has shown that, when treated with SB-334867 (30 mg/kg, i.p.) 30 min before a 1h test with palatable food, rats begin to show appreciable levels of resting 10-15 min earlier than under control conditions (i.e. around 20 min versus 30-35 min into the session). The present results demonstrate that a 20 min increase in the injection-test interval (i.e. 50 min) had no significant impact on the anorectic, behavioural or weight gain effects of SB-334867 in non-deprived male rats. Most importantly, this altered treatment regimen led to a temporal profile of resting virtually identical to that previously observed with the more conventional 30 min injection-test interval. Although parallel studies indicated that the OX1R antagonist accelerated the onset of resting (and suppressed most active behaviours) even in the absence of food, an equianorectic dose of the natural satiety-related signal cholescystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8S; 5 microg/kg, i.p.) also produced very similar behavioural effects regardless of the presence of food. Together with evidence that SB-334867 preserves the structural integrity of natural feeding behaviour, does not induce nausea/illness or alter taste/palatability and fails to influence EEG measures of arousal/sleep, the present findings are consistent with the view that acute OX1R antagonism selectively enhances satiety. However, unlike the immediate short-circuiting of the satiety sequence induced by CCK-8S, the slower response to SB-334867 implies a more indirect mechanism of action.

The Embryo and Its Future1

The preimplantation mammalian embryo from different species appears sensitive to the environment in which it develops, either in vitro or in vivo, for example, in response to culture conditions or maternal diet. This sensitivity may lead to long-term alterations in the characteristics of fetal and/or postnatal growth and phenotype, which have implications for clinical health and biotechnological applications. We review the breadth of environmental influences that may affect early embryos and their responses to such conditions along epigenetic, metabolic, cellular, and physiological directions. In addition, we evaluate how embryo environmental responses may influence developmental potential and phenotype during later gestation. We conclude that a complex of different mechanisms may operate to associate early embryo environment with future health.

Differential effects of the selective orexin-1 receptor antagonist SB-334867 and lithium chloride on the behavioural satiety sequence in rats

Recent studies have shown that acute systemic administration of the selective orexin-1 receptor antagonist SB-334867 significantly reduces food intake in rats. Although this anorectic action of orexin-1 receptor blockade is associated with an acceleration in the transition from eating to resting, it is widely recognised that the behavioural indices of satiety are not dissimilar to those of illness. In this context, Experiment 1 confirmed a significant anorectic effect of 90 (but not 60) mg/kg lithium chloride (LiCl) in male rats presented with palatable mash in the home-cage environment. Experiment 2 employed a continuous monitoring technique to contrast the effects of LiCl (90 mg/kg) and SB-334867 (10 and 30 mg/kg) on food intake and behaviour during a 1-h test with palatable mash. SB-334867 dose-dependently inhibited food intake, with the higher dose producing a comparable degree of appetite suppression (approximately 40%) to that seen with LiCl. Despite equivalent anorectic action, the two compounds produced very different effects on behaviour. LiCl reduced active behaviours (locomotion, rearing, grooming and sniffing), slowed the rate of eating and disrupted the behavioural satiety sequence (BSS). In contrast, SB-334867 (30 mg/kg) decreased the duration of feeding and grooming, and modestly accelerated the transition between eating and resting. Furthermore, whereas LiCl failed to alter posttreatment bodyweight gain, SB-334867 (30 mg/kg) produced a significant weight loss in the 24-h period immediately following injection. Overall, the divergent profiles obtained with equianorectic doses of LiCl and SB-334867 provide convincing evidence for the behavioural selectivity of SB-334867-induced anorexia.

Estimation of second polar body retention rate after conventional insemination and intracytoplasmic sperm injection: in vitro observations from more than 5000 human oocytes

PURPOSE

Tripronucleate (3pn) development after conventional insemination (CONV) or ICSI was analyzed to estimate the rate of second polar body retention giving rise to 3pn formation.

METHODS

Data from 453 consecutive IVF cycles were reviewed during a 6-month period. Mature oocytes were monitored in ICSI (n = 3195) and CONV (n = 2274) groups by fertilization assessment 16-18 h post-insemination. Ovulation induction protocols and in vitro culture conditions remained constant during the study interval.

RESULTS

Normal (2pn) fertilization occurred in 74.2% and 70.5% for CONV and ICSI groups, respectively (p < 0.003). 1pn formation was observed in 4.5% of CONV oocytes, and 2.5% of ICSI oocytes (p < 0.001); 3pn formation was 8.1% in the CONV group, and 2.5% in the ICSI group (p < 0.0001). We observed 4pn formation in 0.4% of oocytes in the CONV group, but in only 0.04% of oocytes fertilized with ICSI (p < 0.007). Cellular degeneration occurred in 2.4% of oocytes inseminated conventionally, and in 3.5% of oocytes fertilized by ICSI (p = 0.02). Maternal age did not impact pronuclear status.

CONCLUSIONS

We found the 3pn formation rate after ICSI to be approximately one-third that observed in the CONV group. Extrapolating the ICSI data to the CONV data, it may be inferred that 2.5% of 3pn development after CONV was due to second polar body retention. This suggests that 5.6% of CONV oocytes showed dispermic fertilization. Decreasing oocyte quality with increasing maternal age had no apparent influence on any of the fertilization outcomes.

Vocal discrimination of kin and non-kin agemates among lambs

Abstract

Playback experiments were conducted with 4 week old Ile-de-France lambs (Ovis aries) to assess the role of auditory cues in social discrimination. After being habituated to the test enclosure, lambs were individually exposed to bleats from two stimulus individuals. Twin lambs were tested with recorded bleats of their sibling versus an unfamiliar agemate and single lambs with bleats of a familiar agemate versus an unfamiliar lamb. Lambs responded more frequently to the bleats of their sibling (for twin lambs) or of a familiar agemate (for single lambs) than to those of an unfamiliar lamb. Such discriminative responses to the bleats of familiar twins and non-kin lambs suggest that vocalizations may be a sufficient basis for social recognition. Acoustic analyses of the playback bleats revealed significant differences between the signals from the different stimulus lambs and suggest that fundamental frequency may be an important parameter of lambs' individual vocal signatures.

Predicting residual disease after excision of cervical dysplasia

Dysplastic epithelium at the resection margin after a cervical cone is known to predict persisting disease. We followed 702 women for 30 months after cervical excision to see which resection margin was predictive. The risk of persisting cytological abnormalities was doubled when CIN extended to the endocervical resection margin and was doubled when there was evidence of HPV. In contrast, disease at the ectocervical resection margin and the grade of CIN were not associated with a higher risk of residual disease.

Biological activities of an extract from Cleome viscosa L. (Capparaceae)

Electron micrograph examination of the leaf and stem surfaces of Cleome viscosa L (Family Capparaceae) revealed the presence of secretory glandular trichomes with club-cylinder and cylinder morphologies. In the present study, the leaves and stems of C. viscosa were extracted with hexane and the extract was evaluated for the following biological activities: anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, contact insecticidal and nematicidal. The extract was found to be a potent anti-bacterial agent according to the thin layer chromatography autobiographic assay. Activity-directed isolation studies of the anti-bacterially active compounds led to a 14-member ring cembranoid diterpene being identified as one of the effective agents. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values (microg/spot) of 5.0 microg/spot and 1.0 microg/spot were found for the diterpene on Bacillus subtilis (Gram-positive) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (Gram-negative), respectively. The diterpene did not inhibit the growth of the fungus Cladosporium cucumerinum. The extract demonstrated a pyrethroid type of contact insecticidal activity on adult Cylas formicarius elegantulus Summer (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The extract also had high nematicidal activity with a percentage Abbott's value of 72.69 on the plant parasitic nematode Meloidogyne incognita Chitwood; however, the extract lost its potency upon subfractionation.

Comparative genetics at the gene and chromosome levels between rice ( Oryza sativa) and wildrice ( Zizania palustris)

Using comparative genetics, genes, repetitive DNA sequences and chromosomes were studied in the Oryzeae in order to more fully exploit the rice genome sequence data. Of particular focus was Zizania palustris L., n = 15, commonly known as American wildrice. Previous work has shown that rice chromosomes 1, 4 and 9 are duplicated in wildrice. The Adh1 and Adh2 genes were sequenced and, based on phylogenetic analyses, found to be duplicated in wildrice. The majority of the sequence diversity in the Adh sequences was in intron 3, in which were found several MITE insertions. Cytological and molecular approaches were used to analyze the evolution of rDNA and centromeric repetitive sequences in the Oryzeae. In wildrice, copies of the 5S rDNA monomer were found at two loci on two different chromosomes near the centromeres, as in rice. One nucleolar organizer region (NOR) locus was found adjacent to the telomere, as in rice. RCS1, a middle repetitive sequence in rice, was present in all of the centromeres of wildrice. RCS2/CentO, the highly repetitive component of Oryza sativa L. centromeres, was conserved in eight of the Oryza species examined, but was not found in wildrice. Three other middle repetitive centromeric sequences (RCH1, RCH2/CentO and RCH3) were also examined and found to have variable evolutionary patterns between species of Oryza and Zizania.

Randomized controlled trials in psychiatry. Part 1: methodology and critical evaluation

OBJECTIVE

To introduce clinicians to the methodology and critical appraisal of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in psychiatry.

METHOD

The methodology of RCTs in psychiatry is discussed. Using a systematic approach to critical appraisal, a published RCT of treatments for severe depression is examined and evaluated.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The RCT appraised illustrates certain problematic areas in the methodology of trials in psychiatry. A detailed knowledge of methodology and critique of RCTs is essential in determining whether reported results will influence clinicians' practice.