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The forced isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the lifestyle intervention programs for people with obesity. This study aimed to assess: (1) the behaviors of subjects with obesity towards medical care during the pandemic and (2) their interest in following a remotely delivered multidisciplinary program for weight loss. An online self-made survey addressed to subjects with obesity was linked to the official website of our institute. Four hundred and six subjects completed the questionnaire (90% females, 50.2 ± 11.6 years). Forty-six percent of the subjects cancelled any scheduled clinical assessments during the pandemic, 53% of whom had chronic disease. Half of the subjects were prone to following a remotely delivered lifestyle intervention, especially with a well-known health professional. About 45% of the respondents were favorable towards participating in remote psychological support and nutritional intervention, while 60% would practice physical activity with online tools. Male subjects and the elderly were more reluctant than those female and younger, especially for online psychological support. Our survey showed an interest on the part of the subjects with obesity to join a multidisciplinary weight loss intervention remotely delivered. Male subjects and the elderly seem less attracted to this intervention, and this result highlights that, even with telemedicine, the approach to weight management should be tailored.

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of using real-time visual feedback (VF) during a one-week balance training intervention on postural sway parameters in young karatekas. Twenty-six young male karatekas (age = 14.0 ± 2.3 years) were randomly divided into two groups: real-time VF training (VFT, n = 14) and control (CTRL, n = 12). Their center of pressure (COP) displacement (path length, COPpl, distance from origin, COPod) was assessed pre- and post-training on a Wii Balance Board platform in two positions (Flex: knee of the supporting leg slightly bent, maximum hip and leg flexion of the other leg, Kick: knee of the supporting leg slightly bent, mawashi-geri posture for the kicking leg). Both groups trained twice a day for seven days, performing a one-legged stance on the non-dominant limb in the Kick position. During the training, VFT received real-time VF of COP displacement, while CTRL looked at a fixed point. No interaction effect was found (p &gt, 0.05). VFT exhibited greater changes pre- and post-training in Flex COPpl (−25.2%, g = 1.5), Kick COPpl (−24.1%, g = 1.3), and Kick COPod (−44.1%, g = 1.0) compared to CTRL (−0.9–−13.0%, g-range: 0.1–0.7). It is possible that superimposing real-time VF to a week-long balance training intervention could induce a greater sport-specific balance-training effect in young karatekas.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the differences between types of sport (i.e., closed vs. open skills sport) on inhibitory control and motor fitness in children. Forty-nine children were allocated into three groups based on their sports participation, which comprised an open skill sport group, a closed skill sport group, and a sedentary group. Participants were tested on cognitive performance (inhibitory control by the Flanker task) and motor fitness (reaction time, speed, agility, power, balance). Open skill sport group appeared to display higher inhibitory control (response time and accuracy of incongruent condition of the Flanker task) and motor fitness performance (reaction time, speed, agility, power) than sedentary group, whereas its superiority over closed skill sport group was found only in speed and agility. Moreover, closed skill sport group had only a better reaction time than sedentary group. Our data supports the framework according to which cognitive demands in complex motor actions may contribute to explain the beneficial effects of exercise on inhibitory control. This might suggest that the complexity of the environment (typical in open skill sports) in which sport training is performed plays a key role for both cognitive and motor development in children.

BACKGROUND Respiratory muscle training has been shown to provide positive effects for both health and performance purposes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a six-week period of nasal breathing on pulmonary function and cardio-respiratory fitness in young basketball players. METHODS Thirty-four, male, basketball players were enrolled and assigned either to experimental group (EG) or to control group (CG). All participants were tested for Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1), Shuttle Sprint Test (SST), Forced Vitality Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) and Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF). EG group followed reduced breathing frequency training program focused on intermittent running exercises while performing nasal breathing. RESULTS The main findings were significant interactions in Yo-Yo IR1 test, FVC, FEV1 and PEF (p

The present study aimed to determine the contribution of soccer players' anthropometric features to predict their physical performance. Sixteen players, from a professional youth soccer academy, were recruited. Several anthropometric features such as corrected arm muscle area (AMA

Facial asymmetry is considered a marker of psychological, emotional and physiological distress, while anxiety is a behavioural, psychological and physiological response to a threat to well-being. Since individuals respond to anxiety with specific patterns (e.g., muscular tension), it is reasonable to hypothesize that anxiety could contribute to facial tension and therefore facial asymmetry. Instead, since facial asymmetry is perceived as "unpleasant" from peers, its presence may be a hindrance to social adaptation contributing to generate anxiety. In this study, we investigated whether resting facial asymmetry and anxiety are associated in young population. Full frontal facial photographs of 56 Caucasian males were taken in resting state to obtain indices of asymmetry in six facial landmarks. Anxiety status was assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y). Analysis of the face showed that asymmetry and laterality of specific facial landmarks were associated with anxiety. State anxiety was associated with eyebrow and lateral angle of the eye, while trait anxiety was associated with eyebrow and lateral angle of the mouth. Moreover, as compared with contralateral landmarks, the left landmarks were lifted/expanded in subjects with elevated trait/state anxiety, whereas the right landmarks were lifted/expanded in subjects with low-trait/state anxiety.

The aim of this retrospective case study is the longitudinal description of the physical and functional parameters of a top-level Paralympic swimmer class S9-SB8-SM9 during four swimming seasons of training, from the Paralympic games in London 2012 to the Paralympic games in Rio 2016. A 22-year-old male swimmer underwent a specific preventive dry-land training based on diaphragmatic breathing, postural alignment, and slow-velocity resistance training aimed to improve his muscle strength. He was tested by using the Functional Movement Screen™, photographic postural assessment and vertical jump. The swimmer improved his functional, postural and strength parameters indicating a better functional movement and muscular power. These results show that a four-year specific dry-land intervention could be capable of enhancing the functional and physical requirements of a top-level Paralympic swimmer. This approach might be a suitable novel alternative for coaches and athletic trainers to integrate their training protocols for athletes with similar impairments.

Psychopathological symptoms and reduced health related quality of life (HRQoL) are frequent in cirrhotics, but no data on their association with cirrhosis prognosis assessed by the MELDNa score are available. Prospective data on the long-term effect of deceased donor liver transplantation (LT) on psychopathological symptoms are needed. Before entering the LT waiting list, 44 consecutive LT cirrhotic candidates without a major psychiatric disorder underwent a psychopathological assessment, including Symptom Checklist-90-revised (SCL-90-R) and Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ). HRQoL was measured by Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). Abnormal performance at each questionnaire was defined by using 44 age, gender, BMI and education-matched healthy subjects. Separate binary logistic regression models were used to test the association of the Child-Pugh, MELD and MELDNa scores with abnormal performance at each questionnaire. Fourteen patients repeated the battery tests 3 years after LT. Before LT, increasing MELDNa was the only prognostic score independently associated with an abnormal SCL-90-R global psychopathological score index (OR: 1.207; 95% CI: 1.026–1.420; P = 0.02) and the best independent predictor of reduced HRQoL. After LT, compared to status prior to LT, performance at SF-36 general health perception scale ameliorated (P = 0.02), performance at SCL-90-R somatization scale (P = 0.001) and global psychopathological score index (P

Klinefelter’s syndrome (KS) is associated with specific neurobehavioral features and personality traits. The aim of our study was to investigate fluid intelligence, personality traits and personality disorders (PD) and possible correlations with testosterone in a cohort of adult KS patients. We analyzed 58 adult KS patients with the classic 47, XXY karyotype. The Structured Clinical Interview for axis II disorders was used to assess DSM IV personality disorders. Personality traits were assessed using MMPI-2. Fluid intelligence was tested by using Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM) Test. Testosterone blood concentration was measured by CMIA. PD prevalence was 31%. Four altered MMPI scales (Social Responsibility, Dominance, Ego Strength and Repression) were found in more than 40% of patients. Overcontrolled hostility and MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale-Revised scales were altered in the PD− group only. Biz-Odd Thinking and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder scale were associated with the presence of personality disorder. The raw SPM score was 44 ± 10.8 without any significant correlation with testosterone. No significant difference in mean age, SPM raw score and MMPI score was observed between eugonadal, hypogonadal and treated patients. Most KS patients had average fluid intelligence. PD prevalence was higher than in the general population. Testosterone was not correlated with fluid intelligence, personality traits or PD, but a reduction in marital distress was observed in treated patients. This could suggest that testosterone therapy can improve physical symptoms and this effect could also improve relationship abilities and wellness awareness.

Psychiatric disorders are common in obese patients and they are often considered contraindications for bariatric surgery. In this patients Axis I profile has been widely investigated, while only few studies on Axis II profile are reported. Aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of Axis II psychopathology, to describe the typical body image and to evaluate the prevalence of childhood abuse in bariatric surgery candidates.A total of 102 consecutive obese patients (77 females) were evaluated by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM IV which assessed Axis I Disorders. After the exclusion of Axis I Disorders, 50 patients (36 females, BMI: 44.68 ± 9.48 Kg/m2, age: 44.5 ± 11.7 years) were enrolled. All 50 patients received a psychiatric assessment including the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Disorders (SCID-II); the Body Uneasiness Test, part a (BUT-A), which assesses body image disorders; the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) as a screening test of childhood maltreatment histories.Nineteen patients (38%) were affected by Axis II disorders. Cluster C disorders, including avoidant, dependent and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders, represented the most common diagnosis (24%). Moreover, 34 patients (68%) showed body image disorders (BID), with a GSI score ≥1.2 and 24 (48%) referred an abuse during childhood. Patients with Axis II disorder or a body image uneasiness or a history of maltreatment during childhood, showed higher BMI in adulthood.Psychiatric comorbidities in obese patients were not only represented by depression or anxiety (Axis I disorders), but also by personality disorders (Axis II), body image disorders and childhood abuse. The identification of these conditions could improve outcomes of bariatric surgery and represent an indication for a most important psychiatric support before, during and after surgery.

A dominant male mouse scent-marks his territory very frequently by emitting small urinary spots. The urine spots release in the air a variety of odorants that transmit different information to other mice, especially those concerning the time of deposition. To investigate this effect, small spots of urine of a dominant male mouse were left to freely release the odorants in the air for time intervals ranging from 0 min to 24 h prior to sampling. Thereupon, the odorants remaining in the spot were sampled at diffusion equilibrium (45°C) in a small vial by means of headspace solid-phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography coupled to flame ionisation detection and mass spectrometry. Thirteen odorants were consistently found. Nine odorants were identified and four were matched. The rate of release of each odorant was characteristic and was described using principal component analysis. A first principal component was based on nine early odorants that showed a decreasing release over time. The odorants were 2,4-dehydro-exo-brevicomin, an unknown with 78% matching to 4-acetonilcycloheptanone, linalool, 2,4-dimethyl-phenol, 4-ethylphenol, indole, 2-butyl-1-octanol, an unknown with 83% matching to 2-ethyl-1-decanol, and 2,4-bis-(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenol. A second principal component, based on two unknowns with 73% matching to yohimban-17-one and 71% matching to the 2-methyl-3-hydroxy-2,4,4-trimethyl ester of propanoic acid, had an irregular release after deposition. A third principal component of late odorants, based on 2-sec-butyl-4,5-dihydrothiazole and 6,10-dimethyl-5,9-undecaden-2-one, had a peak of release at about 22 min. In conclusion, the release of the odorants in the headspace of a urine spot may code and transmit information on the deposition time. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Social interactions in mice involve olfactory signals, which convey information about the emitter. In turn, the mouse social and physiological status may modify the release of chemical cues. In this study, the influences of age and social isolation on the endocrine response and the release of chemical signals were investigated in male CD1 mice, allocated into four groups: Young Isolated (from weaning till 60days; N=6), Adult Isolated (till 180days; N=6), Young Grouped (6 mice/cage; till 60days; N=18), Adult Grouped (6 mice/cage; till 180days; N=18). Mice were transferred in a clean cage to observe the micturition pattern and then sacrificed. Body and organs weights, serum testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, corticosterone and the ratio Major Urinary Protein/creatinine were measured. Urinary volatile molecules potentially involved in pheromonal communication were identified. Androgen secretion was greater in isolated mice (P

During the last years, in Italy as well abroad, psychological counseling has been spreading through university environment, offering a range of opportunities, from individual settings to post-counseling group psychotherapies. Medical students, on the basis of data from several works within international literature, would represent a population particularly exposed to stressors.In our study we have recruited a sample of 44 medical students at Sapienza University of Rome. As evaluation tools we have used: a gathering card of socio-demographic variables, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders Clinical Version (SCID-I CV) and a satisfaction card of the service. RESULTS; Fourteen students showed one or more diagnosis in Axis 1 of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR). Frequency analysis through χ2 test has underlined statistically significant differences relative to geographic origin variable. The service has been evaluated as alright.Although the data presented need deeper and more extensive verifications, our study supports the need of a service of psychological counseling devoted to university population and, even more, to medical students.

In the last decades there was an increasing interest in early detection of prodromal symptoms in schizophrenia and, more specifically, in detecting subjects at high risk for psychosis. However, especially in case of childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS), sometimes it is possible to don't recognize its early symptoms and to ascribe the observed clinical picture to other diseases, with consequent delay in diagnosis and treatment of these patients. In this case report we want to underline the importance of an early detection of schizophrenia, with a focus on differential diagnosis between Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and schizophrenia.

The aims of the study are to evaluate, in the Italian context, the presence and clinical features of early prodromal symptoms before the psychotic onset and, most of all, the duration of the period between the first onset of any psychiatric symptom and the psychotic onset (Duration of Untreated Illness).The study was carried out on a sample of 296 inpatients with a diagnosis of "non-affective psychosis" enrolled in "Villa dei Fiori" inpatients Clinic in Rome. The retrospective analysis was developed using clinical records and clinical interview with patients and their parents. The evaluation of the psychotic onset and of DUI was assessed with the PANSS (Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale).The mean DUI is 4.7 ± 4.4 years. We found a connection between DUI and early symptoms of psycosis: depressive symptoms (4.9; DS=5.0) were most frequently observed, followed by anxiety symptoms (5.1; DS=4.8), eating disorders (5.7; DS=3.0); obsessive symptoms (4.5; DS=3.6); social withdrawal (5.9; DS=4.9); psychotic like symptoms (2.6; DS=1.3). DUI resulted lower in psychotic like symptoms than in the depressive ones.In Italy DUI turn out to be much longer than in other Country where do exists specialized services for early intervention. For this reason seem to be necessary to explore the opportunity to develop also in Italy specialized services for adolescents and young adults at risk and at their psychotic onset.

To evaluate (i) the incidence of psychiatric disorders and (ii) the frequency of Mood Disorders diagnoses in a sample of 115 university students afferent to Sportello Counseling-Accoglienza Studenti "Fatti vivo!" of "Sapienza" University of Rome, between November 2008 and December 2010; to point out correlations with socio-demographic variables.The prevalence of Mood Disorders was evaluated with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM IV Axis I Disorders Clinical Version (SCID-I cv), drawn up by the counselor at first meeting. Each student completed a data collection from which investigates socio-demographic characteristics. A descriptive analysis was conducted and the associations between variables and Axis I diagnoses were investigated.The overall mean age is 24.7 years. A DSM IV-TR Axis I Disorder was diagnosed in 26.9%, of which 45.2% is constituted by Mood Disorders (mean age of 25.7 years). Male students, the highest family members' mean age and the lowest regular studies (64% pursue a course of regular studies) seem to be characteristics of the subgroup of students with Mood Disorders diagnoses compared to the subgroups with other Axis I Disorders diagnoses. Moreover, the same subgroup most frequently recognizes as pathological its condition (78.6%) compared to the subgroup with other Axis I Disorders diagnoses (53.3%). Those differences, however, aren't statistically significant.The discovered percentage of Axis I diagnoses in general and Mood Disorders in particular could be considered representative of perceived unease degree in a population of university students. At the same time, the difficulty in identifying the early signs of uneasiness and in recognizing as pathological own condition interferes with and delays the awareness of the need of a psychological/psychiatric support and the expression of the help-seek.

To evaluate: (i) self-perceived stress, depressive and anxiety symptoms in a community sample of young adults; (ii) which elements have most impact on the development of mental disease; (iii) if high levels of mental disease are related to help-seeking behavior.The study was carried out on a sample of 1660 university students. The evaluation of the perceived stress was conducted using the Stress-Related Vulnerability Scale (SVS), the evaluation of depressive and anxiety symptoms with Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). A descriptive analysis of all the data collected was carried out and the principal links between variables and level of mental disease were detected. Finally the reasons for the failure to seek help were investigated.Mean scores of BDI-II and BAI were respectively 10.9 (sigma = 8.3) and 11.4 (sigma = 9.4) and about 4% of the sample showed a pathological level of stress with the SVS. Female sex, non resident status and conflictual family climate were found to be more related with more severe anxious and depressive symptoms. Moreover, the latter ones were found to be strongly related with help-seeking behavior.In this sample mental disease associated with distress show a significant percentage. Higher level of anxiety and depressive symptoms are more related to perceived need for help and help-seeking behavior. Nevertheless the level of unexpressed help-seeking turn out to be high for multiple reason.

The principal aim of this study is: (i) to assess the rate of depressive disorders in a sample of patient in a psychotherapy service of the Department of Psychiatric Sciences and Psychological Medicine at the Sapienza University, Roma; (ii) to focus the psychopathological features of depressive patient through the SCL-90R scale; (iii) to evaluate the correlation between SCL-90R score and categorical diagnosis.The sample of this study includes 178 patients, who came to our service for a psychotherapy. The anamnestic and clinical information were collected for each patient. Each patient is submitted to the multidimensional scale SCL-90R in the curse of the first interview. A descriptive analysis of all the data collected was made and the principal links between SCL-90 R score and categorical diagnosis were detected.About 46% of the patients were depressive disorders following the DSM-IVTR diagnostic criteria. About 70% of depressive patients have psychoticism pathological scores, 60% have paranoic pathological scores, 70% anxiety pathological scores and 60% interpersonal sensibility pathological scores. The depressive dimension was pathological in about 77% of anxious patient and in 87% of patient with personality disorders.The DSM.IVTR categorical psychiatric diagnosis might underestimate important psychopathological dimensions which are underline through a dimensional scale as the SCL-90R and through a psychodynamic diagnostic instrument.

The alpha2u-globulin (alpha2u) is a pheromone carrier urinary protein believed to be relevant for sexual communication among rats and is characterized in laboratory rats. In the present study 17 kDa protein and the bound pheromones were characterized in a population of wild-type Indian common house rat (Rattus rattus). The protein was purified by two runs of Sephadex G-50 chromatography and analyzed with SDS-PAGE with MALDI-TOF/MS. The results of MASCOT search identified the protein as an alpha2u and suggested a role for binding pheromones. To confirm the protein bound volatiles, purified alpha2u was extracted with dichloromethane and volatile molecules were detected using of gas chromatography linked to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). 1-Chlorodecane was detected as the predominant compound and 2-methyl-N-phenyl-2-propenamide, hexadecane and 2,6,11-trimethyl decane as the minor compounds. The simple method of protein purification and the identification of bound volatiles may help in designing efficient pheromone-based rat traps.

The pleiotropic cytokine interleukin-6 increases in the plasma of rats after an air dive. Interleukin-6 shares both of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties and may condition the vascular system and gas embolism after an air dive. Up to now it is not known whether interleukin-6 has an effect on gas embolism. Aim of this work is to study the effect of interleukin-6 on gas embolism after a standard decompression protocol in a rat model. The volume of gas bubbles was measured in the heart cavities with a new method based on the buoyancy of the heart at different pressures which is physically sound, accurate and precise down to 10(-4) cm3. No effect was found after injecting physiological doses of interleukin-6 at different times before the air dive. The mortality of the rats in the first half hour after the decompression was associated with a substantial gas volume measured in the heart. Multi-variate logistic regression analysis showed that the female rats had a higher risk compared to male rats of developing a substantial bubble volume and of not surviving; the spring-summer season was a risk factor for the survival. Further studies are needed to see whether interleukin-6 in association with other cytokines has an effect on gas embolism.

The depersonalization is a clinical condition of frequent observation that occurs often in the late adolescence and among the young adults. This condition most of the time causes anguish justified from the gravity of the symptomatic perception, involving consequently a series of clinical problems, not last the answer that such condition generates in the observer: answer not only aware, that influences strongly the diagnostic interpretation and the therapeutic approach.We tried to investigate this clinical condition within a sample of 267 subjects, 120 of them examinated in our outpatients ambulatory of psychotherapy and 147 examinated in E.R. and in inpatients unit.The percentage of patients with depersonalization, similarly to other studies, is quantitatively different in the two samples. However, what seems obvious is that if the differences for what concerns the frequency and the symptomatic intensity are rather marked, otherwise for what concerns the psychodinamic aspect the differences appears less sharp.This observation puts in evidence, on the model of many international studies about the latent psychosis, that in psychiatry at the seriousness of the psychodynamic and prognostic aspects not always corresponds the seriousness of the symptomatic aspects.

Male mice mark the territory with urine scent marks that are frequently renewed to maintain the territory ownership. We measured the response of male mice to small spots of urine deposed either 0, 5, 11, 22, 45, 90 min, or 24 h before testing and show that mice loose interest in sniffing scent marks as they become older and older. We asked what scent features tell a mouse how recent a scent mark is, and therefore, we studied the molecule-to-behavior relationship by correlating 6 behavioral variables--the number of sniffing acts, the latency to the first sniff, the number of urine marks, the latency to the first mark, the area of the marks, and the number of fecal pellets-to 2,4-dehydro-exo-brevicomin, linalool, 2-sec-butyl-4,5-dihydrothiazole, 2,4-dimethylphenol, 4-ethylphenol, and 6,10-dimethyl-5,9-undecadien-2-one released from urine spots over the time, identified, and quantified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Canonical correlation between the molecular and the behavioral principal components was strong (R(1) = 0.96, P = 0.026). The principal component based on 2,4-dehydro-exo-brevicomin, linalool, and 2-sec-butyl-4,5-dihydrothiazole correlated negatively with countermarking and positively with the sniffing behavior, suggesting a semantic feature of fresh male mouse urine.

A recombinant bovine herpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4EGFPDeltaTK), obtained by the insertion of an EGFP gene into the TK locus of DN 599 BoHV-4 strain, was injected into the lateral ventricle of the brain of mice and a clinical score was evaluated for 90 days. Although BoHV-4 was not neuro-pathogenic, BoHV-4EGFPDeltaTK transduction capability was analyzed. EGFP expression was localized in close proximity to the border of the ventricles and EGFP-positive cells were found to co-localize with ependymal cells. Although most of the cells had a polarized morphology, they were not neurons. EGFP-positive cells were seen to spread in tangentially oriented rows within the rostral migratory stream (RMS). Co-localization of EGFP signal with anti-GFAP antibody showed that they were glial cells. EGFP-positive cells were observed until 31 days post-injection and then disappeared completely. Virus isolation was possible at an early post-injection time (3 days), but then virus titer was below the detection limits at later times. Viral DNA, however, could be detected until 21 days post-injection. Thus, in this report we showed that (i) BoHV-4EGFPDeltaTK did not replicate in the mouse brain, (ii) is not pathogenic and (iii) gene transfer can be obtained in long-lived cells belonging to the RMS after BoHV-4EGFPDeltaTK injection within the lateral ventricle.

The formation of bubbles in the blood stream together with the ensuing sickness after rapid decompression is assumed to depend on the physiological condition of the vascular system. In order to gain insight into the vascular function of nitric oxide in acute decompression sickness, the effects of the nitric oxide synthase inhibition by N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester was studied in rats.Wistar rats under anaesthesia were exposed to hyperbaric conditions for two hours and decompressed approximately 2.5 hours after a single subcutaneous injection of N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. Scalar doses and different pressures were tested.The fraction of the rats that died after decompression was greater in rats treated with N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester at doses greater than 8 mg Kg-1 body weight compared to untreated rats.Although we have not excluded effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibition on distribution of perfusion and therefore inert gas elimination from tissue during decompression as a factor, this result highlights a delayed benefit of nitric oxide synthase activity in preventing death in acute decompression sickness.

Chemical signals modulate aggressive behavior in mice. For example, male urinary cues enhance aggression against other adults: a resident mouse attacks a male but not a castrated intruder, unless it is anointed with male urine. Our purpose was to understand whether molecules excreted with urine also act as aggression triggers in a different context. Therefore, the effect of urine, or molecules purified from urine, voided by different animals (males or females), was tested on the aggression of male mice against pups. Latency to the first attack, percentage of pups receiving the first attack, and percentage of attacked pups after 5 and 15 min were recorded. At variance with intermale aggression, male urinary chemosignals sprayed on pups reduced infanticide, while female urine did not. Male urine also delayed infanticide when compared to female urine. Pups anointed with low molecular weight dialyzed urine and with the high molecular weight protein fraction were attacked later than controls. Pups anointed with Major Urinary Proteins (MUPs) also were attacked later. The volatiles retained by MUPs act in the same way as adult male urine. MUPs and their ligands did not modify biting of food items. The results show that mice do not perceive male chemosignals as compulsory aggression triggers but rather can consistently and differentially shape their behavior in response to the same molecules according to different contextual events.

The influence of rearing conditions on pheromone-induced puberty acceleration was tested on Swiss mice. Litters were reared in one of three conditions: with either both parents, or with two females, or finally with two females in the presence of urinary pheromonal cues from adult males, which are known to induce puberty acceleration. Nine days after weaning the females were exposed to either prepubertal or adult male urine. In the groups reared with either both parents or with two females and the pheromonal cues from stranger males, females treated with adult male urine presented heavier uteri and more cornified vaginal smears than females reared in the same conditions but subsequently treated with prepubertal males urine. In the group reared simply with two females, the differences in both uterus weight and vaginal smears did not reach statistical significance. The data support the notion that early experience of pheromonal cues may influence the response to pheromones in a later period, even if the preweaning exposure to males had no direct influence on early signs of puberty onset.

The absolute configuration of 2-sec-butyl-4,5-dihydrothiazole (DHT) in urine of adult male mice was determined through chiral trifluoroacetyl derivative capillary chromatography by comparing the retention time with synthetic standards. (S)-DHT was extracted from fresh urine, while neither (R)-DHT nor the racemization of (S)-DHT were detected. We can conclude that DHT in urine possesses the S configuration, although we cannot exclude a minor component in the R configuration. (S)-DHT was then characterized for binding to the complex of major urinary proteins of male mouse urine (MUP) and for a behavioral response, the competitive scent marking behavior (countermarking). The binding constant of (S)-DHT to MUP (determined by competitive displacement) was 8.2 +/- 0.6 microM (mean +/- SD) and was 10.5 +/- 0.6 microM for R-DHT, thus excluding a relevant difference in binding. (S)-DHT modified countermarking in a peculiar way. Male mice were slow in countermarking urinary spots streaked 2 days earlier and on top of which (S)-DHT was added shortly before the test. This response was not seen when adding (S)-DHT to freshly streaked urinary spots or to clean paper. Unlike (S)-DHT, (R)-DHT prompted countermarking rather than delaying it. We can further conclude that (S)-DHT in male mouse urine is an aversive chemosignal for countermarking.

The ability to recognize individuals is essential to many aspects of social behaviour, such as the maintenance of stable social groups, parent-offspring or mate recognition, inbreeding avoidance and the modulation of competitive relationships. Odours are a primary mediator of individuality signals among many mammals. One source of odour complexity in rodents, and possibly in humans, resides in the highly polymorphic major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The olfactory acuity of mice and rats allows them to distinguish between the urinary odours of congenic strains differing only in single genes within the MHC, although the chemical mediators or odorants are unknown. However, rodent urine also contains a class of proteins, termed major urinary proteins (MUPs), that bind and release small volatile pheromones. We have shown that the combinatorial diversity of expression of MUPs among wild mice might be as great as for MHC, and at protein concentrations a million times higher. Here we show in wild house mice (Mus domesticus) that urinary MUPs play an important role in the individual recognition mechanism.

The principal protein excreted in male rat urine, urinary alpha 2-globulin and the homologous mouse protein, major urinary protein, have been well characterized, although their functions remain unclear. Male rat urine affects the behaviour and sexual response of female rats, leading to the proposal that rodent urinary proteins are responsible for binding pheromones and their subsequent release from drying urine. Urinary alpha 2-globulin is also involved in hyaline droplet nephropathy, an important toxicological syndrome in male rats resulting from exposure to a number of industrial chemicals and characterized by the accumulation of liganded urinary alpha 2-globulin in lysosomes in the kidney, followed by the induction of renal cancer. We now report the three-dimensional structures of mouse major urinary protein (at 2.4 A resolution) and rat urinary alpha 2-globulin (at 2.8 A resolution). The results corroborate the role of these proteins in pheromone transport and elaborate the structural basis of ligand binding.

To compare the predictive value of thallium-201 single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scintigraphy (Sci) and low-dose dobutamine echocardiography (Dob) in predicting late recovery of dysfunctioning myocardium in patients with recent, uncomplicated myocardial infarction (MI).19 patients (18 male, aged 58+/-8 years) with recent MI and ejection fraction50% (35.5+/-8.3%) underwent 5-15 microg/kg per min Dob, rest-redistribution Sci and coronary angiography, respectively, 14+/-6, 16+/-7 and 17+/-5 days after MI. On an eleven-segment ventricular model devised to compare Dob and Sci segment by segment, each dysfunctioning ventricular segment was considered viable if it showed recovery of mechanical function at the echocardiographic follow-up, performed 6.3+/-1.5 months after revascularization (five PTCA, five GABG) or medical therapy. Among the 104 dysfunctioning segments, of which 26 (25%) showed recovery at follow-up, Dob and Sci gave a concordant response in 50 (48%, k = 0.13), correctly predicting the recovery (or not) of function in 42. Forty-two of 54 discordant responses were due to segments judged viable only by Sci and which had no recovery at follow-up (of these 37 were akinetic or severely hypokinetic at baseline). At the segment-by-segment analysis, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in predicting recovery of function at follow-up were, respectively, 69, 88 and 84% for Dob as against 88, 36 and 49% for Sci (P0.001 for both specificity and accuracy, P=NS for sensitivity).In patients with recent MI, the specificity of Dob in the detection of myocardium capable of late mechanical recovery is significantly higher with respect to Sci, whereas sensitivity is slightly, not significantly higher for the latter. It is conceivable that Sci detects viable myocardium even if it is transmurally limited to epicardial layers in segments with severely impaired mechanical function in which viability will not affect late recovery of function.

The expression of alpha-gustducin, a G protein alpha subunit involved in bitter and sweet taste transduction, was investigated in chemosensory tissues of adult mice. By immunohistochemistry, alpha gustducin was absent in the olfactory neuroepithelium. Instead, alpha gustducin was expressed in a subset of bipolar cells in the proliferative zone of the vomeronasal neuroepithelium as well as in taste buds. Northern blot analysis confirmed the presence of alpha gustducin in isolated vomeronasal organs. Moreover, immunohisto- chemistry revealed the expression of alpha gustducin in scattered cells of the nasal respiratory epithelium. These results show for the first time that alpha gustducin is expressed in chemosensory tissue outside the alimentary tract, suggesting that common transduction mechanisms could be shared by apparently unrelated chemosensory tissues.

The expression of nitric oxide synthase type I (NOS-I), the key enzyme for the synthesis of the gaseous neurotransmitter nitric oxide, was investigated by means of immunohistochemistry in the vomeronasal organ (VNO) of mice from postnatal day 1 for 2 months. The results show that NOS is expressed in extrinsic nerve supplying the developing erectile tissue of VNO (the so-called VNO pump) as well as blood vessels in the connective tissue laying under the receptor epithelium at postnatal day 1. At 8, 15 and 21 postnatal days, and at 2 months the density of NOS-1-immunoreactive nerves goes along with the development of the erectile tissue. From postnatal day 8 onwards, NOS-1-immunoreactive fibers are found also in the vicinity of the VNO glands. These data suggest that nitric oxide (NO) modulates VNO activity early after birth in the mouse.

The lipocalin protein family is characterized in structure by a conserved hydrophobic pocket which can bind small volatile odorants. The Major Urinary Proteins (MUPs) are a class of lipocalins found in the urine of adult male mice which concentrate in the urine odorants which confer a characteristic odor. The behavioural as well as the endocrine effects of mouse urine and MUPs are briefly reviewed, suggesting a complex role is pheromonal communication. Some recent data on the molecular receptors of the vomeronasal organ further suggest a complex interaction with the MUP system.

Retrovirus-mediated gene therapy is a particularly attractive approach for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), given the poor prognosis of this tumour and its localized proliferation in post-mitotic tissue. In this study we assessed, for the first time in humans, the therapeutic potential of a newly designed bicistronic Moloney vector (pLIL-2-TK), combining the expression of a suicide gene (thymidine kinase, tk) with an immunomodulatory gene (human interleukin 2, IL-2). Evidence of transgene activity in the treated tumours is presented.

Four patients affected by glioblastoma recurrence were treated with a gene therapy-immunotherapy protocol consisting of intratumoral injections of culture cells producing a retroviral vector which expresses human interleukin-2 and the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase genes. Seven to 14 days after implantation, the patients were treated with ganciclovir at standard doses. Anatomopathological and immunohistochemical data confirm the efficacy of transduction. From the clinical point of view, gene therapy combined with immunotherapy demonstrated safety and a short-range but clearcut oncolytic effect.

Proteins of the Major Urinary Complex of the adult male mouse (Mus musculus) selectively bind the male pheromones 2-(sec-butyl)thiazoline and dehydro-exo-brevicomin, and concentrate them in urine.

The systemic haemodynamic pattern and its changes after at least 6 months of successful percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTRA) was evaluated in a group of patients with renovascular hypertension (RVH). Fourteen patients, nine males and five females, aged 21 to 58 years, were studied; 12 had fibrodysplastic and two had atherosclerotic stenosing renal vascular lesions. Seven were cured and seven improved. Hypertension was characterized by increased plasma volume (PV) and total peripheral vascular resistance (TPR). Mean peripheral plasma renin activity (PRA) and 24-h urine aldosterone (UA) were elevated. However, the vasoconstriction did not appear to be related to the increased activity of the renin-angiotensin system. After at least 6 months of a successful PTRA, the fall in blood pressure (BP) was associated with a decrease in TPR; PV appeared normal, and PRA and UA became normal.

It has been shown that renal hemodynamic changes following the decrease in cardiac output (CO) after therapy with beta-blockers may affect glomerular filtration rate (GFR), therefore limiting the effectiveness of these drugs; obviously more serious effects might be expected in nephropathic patients with previously reduced renal function. Recent clinical studies have demonstrated that nadolol, a non-cardioselective beta-blocker, preserves the renal blood flow (RBF) and the GFR. In this study, the drug was administered alone (80 mg once daily) for 2 months to 9 male renal parenchymal hypertensive patients with normal or moderately reduced renal function. Systemic and renal hemodynamics, plasma volume (PV), plasma renin activity (PRA) and urinary aldosterone excretion (UA) were evaluated before and after treatment. As blood pressure (BP) fell so did the cardiac index (4.27 +/- 1.05 l/min/m2 to 3.14 +/- 0.48 p less than 0.01), while the peripheral resistance index (TPRI) rose slightly (2257 +/- 658 to 2459 +/- 498 p = NS). No change in PV, RBF, GFR and renal vascular resistance was observed. An increasing trend in PRA (0.81 +/- 0.56 to 1.27 +/- 0.95 ng/ml/h) and no change in UA were observed. Our data show that nadolol was both well tolerated and effective in lowering BP, that it caused systemic hemodynamic alterations similar to those described for other beta-blockers, and preserved RBF and GFR also in renal hypertensive patients with reduced non-azotemic renal function.

1. The hydrolysis of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) and the consequent formation of guanosine diphosphate (GDP) and phosphate (P1) are activated by light in a suspension of broken retinal rods: the hydrolysis rate with GTP in the micrometer concentration range is 2.5-3.5 n-mole/min per mg of rhodopsin in the preparation. 2. The ionic composition of the medium suspending the rods is not critical: the hydrolysis is present in NaCl saline solution with MG2+ as well as in Tris-HC1 buffer solution, and with the chelating agent EDTA. 3. The ionic strength is critical: the effect is reduced when the broken rods are suspended in a low salt mannitol solution, and is altogether abolished when they are separated from the mannitol solution; it reappears when the mannitol solution is added again in the presence of salts. An element essential for the effect is thus reversibly released in the mannitol solution. No hydrolytic activity on GTP, however, is found in the mannitol soluble fraction. 4. The cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase is eluted from the rods in the mannitol solution, and is reaggregated to the rods in the presence of salts; once recombined with the rods, it can be activated by light. 5. The activation of the phosphodiesterase by light is present in the absence of added nucleotide triphosphates.

The aggressiveness induced by the forced isolation of animals may be mediated by endocrine changes. The present study focuses on the possible mediation of the pituitary-thyroid axis in the mouse (Mus musculus). The blood levels of the hormone fractions examined (T4, T3 and rT3) in isolated animals showed a significant increase in comparison with the individuals which were classified from an ethological point of view as submissive, whereas in comparison with the individuals which were classified as dominant, no difference was found for T4 and rT3, but a significant increase of T3 occurred. The choice of the categories of comparison (dominant and submissive as opposed to isolated mice) derives from the hypothesis, which has already been confirmed experimentally on an ethological level, that in this species the isolated individuals are homologous to socially dominant animals as far as aggressiveness is concerned. The endocrinological results obtained in this study support this hypothesis. Thus it is concluded that, in the species under study, isolation induces pituitary-thyroid axis activation which is similar to that found in dominant individuals and at least partially responsible for the isolation aggressiveness. The mediation of the action of TRH on the central nervous system in this phenomenon is suggested as an interesting hypothesis.

1. Puberty onset in female mice is accelerated by exposure to conspecific adult male urine, which acts through the vomeronasal organ and the accessory olfactory system. A distinctive component of adult male mouse urine is the major urinary protein complex (MUP), which is a lipocalin; it has a hydrophobic pocket that binds small endogenous volatile molecules. The MUP gene family also codes for a hexapeptide, which has four residues in common with the N-terminal region of MUP. 2. MUP, the volatiles bound to MUP and the MUP-related hexapeptide have been tested for the induction of puberty acceleration by measuring the increase in uterus weight related to the first pro-oestrus phase. MUP, together with its bound volatiles, induces puberty acceleration. Its activity is retained even when the volatiles have been removed either by organic extraction or competition displacement with a high-affinity ligand. 3. MUP-related hexapeptide also induces puberty acceleration in female mice. In contrast, the odorants bound to MUP do not exert this effect. 4. It is proposed that the vomeronasal organ contains receptors that recognize the short N-terminal consensus sequence, N-Glu-Glu-Ala-X-Ser (where X is a polar residue), common to both MUP and the hexapeptide.