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BackgroundEndometriosis is an estrogen-dependent and chronic inflammatory disease affecting up to 10% of women. It is the result of a combined interaction of genetic, epigenetic, environmental, lifestyle, reproductive and local inflammatory factors. In this study, we investigated whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) mapping to TNF-alpha (TNF, rs1800629) and IL-1beta (IL1B, rs1143634) and variable number tandem repeat polymorphism mapping to IL1-Ra (IL1RN intron 2, rs2234663) genetic loci are associated with risk for endometriosis in a Mexican mestizo population.MethodsThis study included 183 women with confirmed endometriosis (ENDO) diagnosed after surgical laparoscopy and 186 women with satisfied parity and without endometriosis as controls (CTR). PCR/RFLP technique was used for genotyping SNPs (rs1800629 and rs1143634); PCR for genotyping rs2234663.ResultsWe found no statistical differences in age between groups nor among stages of endometriosis and the CTR group. We observed no difference in genotype and allele frequencies, nor carriage rate between groups in none of the three studied polymorphisms. The prevalence of TNF*2-allele heterozygotes (p = 0.025; OR 3.8), TNF*2-allele (p = 0.029; OR 3.4), IL1B*2-allele heterozygotes (p = 0.044; OR 2.69) and its carriage rate (p = 0.041; OR 2.64) in endometriosis stage IV was higher than the CTR group. Surprisingly, the carriage rate of IL1RN*2-allele (ENDO: p = 0.0004; OR 0.4; stage I: p = 0.002, OR 0.38; stage II: p = 0.002, OR 0.35; stage III: p = 0.003, OR 0.33), as well as the IL1RN*2-allele frequencies (ENDO: p = 0.0008, OR 0.55; I: p = 0.037, OR 0.60; II: p = 0.002, OR 0.41; III: p = 0.003, OR 0.38) were lower than the CTR group. Women with endometriosis stage IV (severe) had frequencies more alike to the CTR group in the IL1RN*2 allele frequency (31.2% vs. 27.2%) and carriage rate (37.5% vs. 41.9%).ConclusionAlthough these polymorphisms are not associated with the risk of endometriosis, Mexican mestizo women with severe stage of endometriosis have higher frequencies of TNF*2-, IL1B*2- and IL1RN*2-alleles, which may explain a possible correlation with disease severity rather than predisposition or risk.

Socialization is an adaptive behavior during the early stages of life because it helps young animals become independent and determines healthy adult social behavior. Therefore, it is probable that the brain areas involved in the processing of social stimuli are more sensitive to social novelty during early life stages. To test this hypothesis, four groups of young male rats were exposed to different socioenvironmental stimuli; nonsocial physical novelty, social familiarity, social novelty, and a control group which received no stimulation. After stimuli exposure, brains were fixed and cut in coronal sections for c-Fos immunohistochemistry. The number of c-Fos-immunoreactive (c-Fos-ir) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus and supraoptic nucleus, the main producers of oxytocin and vasopressin, was compared, as well as in the nucleus accumbens and ventral pallidum, the main areas involved in reinforced behavior. A significantly higher number of c-Fos-ir neurons were found in animals exposed to social novelty in all areas, except in the supraoptic nucleus. In particular, the increase in c-Fos-ir in the paraventricular nucleus seems to be selective in response to social novelty, while the increase of c-Fos-ir in the nucleus accumbens and ventral pallidum suggests that social novelty during youth is a highly rewarding stimulus compared with social familiarity and nonsocial physical novelty.

Background In behavioral neuroscience studies, it is essential to accurately and easily record rodent sexual behavior. However, current systems are complex, expensive and often require a computer that hinders their use in situ. New method SEXRAT MALE is new software for the real-time annotation and process of live sexual behavior in male rodents. Results SEXRAT MALE works on smartphones and tablets Android™ operating system, and soon on iOS™. This software uses a simple algorithm based on chronometry and the counting of the behavioral states that the user taps on the screen. It can annotate, count and time a complex sequence of behavioral states by a human observer, such as genital exploration, mounting, intrusion, ejaculation, and up to nine wildcard events established by the user, such as rearing and female receptivity events. SEXRAT MALE reports time, order, duration, intervals, and the simple statistics of all events in the session through data files, which are easily importable from any statistical software. SEXRAT MALE showed greater precision among both expert and naive observers analyzing sexual interaction, decreasing errors and providing greater accuracy of timing data. Additionally, it records and processes more information than the traditional recording, in terms of factors such as order, occurrence time, duration, events intervals, and other processed data. Comparison(s) with existing method Compared to the traditional, manual method, SEXRAT MALE is more accurate, reliable, and simplifies the process of recording and processing. Conclusions SEXRAT MALE provides a novel tool for accurately recording live male rodent sexual behavior.

Removal of wellbore scale from downhole equipment continues to impact well economics due to productivity losses and asset maintenance. The use of first-of-its-class calcium sulfate (CaSO4) scale dissolver in high producing offshore wells equipped with electric submersible pumps (ESP) is presented. The efficiency of the new fluid surpasses the performance of established dissolvers since it does not require long shut-in periods. Anhydrite (CaSO4) scale dissolution and removal can be accomplished with a simple treatment fluid employing a formulation that has been field-proven to restore production and protect downhole equipment in a time-efficient manner. Mineral anhydrite and wellbore scale samples were tested with the dissolver formulation at 200°F (93.3°C), under static conditions for one hour. Dissolution efficiencies greater than 94% were a requirement. Fluid compatibility with metallic and non-metallic components in the wellbore were assessed at bottom hole static temperature (BHST) conditions for a period of 24 hours. The fluid was deployed from a stimulation vessel at a pumping rate from 1 to 5 bpm. A small volume pill of 5 m3 on average was pumped in at least 20 wells, through the production tubing to the ESP and was allowed to soak for 1 hour. Wells were immediately opened to production after a 1-h soak period. Minimizing the non-productive time incurred when long soak periods are required has been attained with the use of the new dissolver fluid, leading to greater efficiencies associated with CaSO4-type scale removal. ESP temperature was monitored and reduced by 13°F (7.2°C) after treatment, similar to temperatures before scale build up. After the treatment, the results show a 1.125-fold increase in oil production. The fast-acting formulation exceeds 90% dissolution efficiency within one hour and improves operations by using a fluid that is non-corrosive to downhole materials in a one-stage removal package. The dissolver formulation provides dissolution of anhydrite at 200°F in ESPs. The fast acting dissolver is delivered as a single fluid package and eliminates the need for separate fluid stages as well as the use of incompatible fluids. Anhydrite scale dissolution and removal can be accomplished with a simple treatment fluid and extend the life of the ESP.

Brainwaves amplitude obtained from electroencephalography (EEG) has been well-recognized as a basis for cognitive capacity, memory, and learning on animals and humans. Adult neurogenesis mechanism is also linked to memory and learning improvement. Traditionally, researchers used to assess learning and memory parameters in rodent models by behavioral tasks. Therefore, the simultaneous monitoring of behavioral changes and EEG is particularly interesting in correlating data between brain activity and task-related behaviors. However, most of the equipment required to perform both studies are either complex, expensive, or uses a wired setup network that hinders the natural animals' movement. In this study, EEG was recorded with a wireless electrophysiology device along with the execution of a novel object recognition task (NORT). The animal's behavior was monitored simultaneously by a video tracking system. Both recordings were analyzed offline by their timestamps which were synched to link EEG signals with the animal's actions. Subjects consist of adult Wistar rats after medium-term environmental enrichment treatment. Six skull screw electrodes were fixed in pairs on both hemispheres over frontal, central, and parietal regions and were referenced to an electrode located posterior of the nasal bone. NORT protocol consists of exposing the animal to two identical objects for 10 min. After 2 h and 24 h, one of the objects was replaced with a novel one. Exploration time for each object was monitored by a behavioral tracking software (BTS) and EEG data recording. The analysis of the EEG synced with behavioral data consists of estimations of alpha and beta relative band power and comparisons between novel object recognition versus familiar object exploration, between three experimental stages. In this manuscript, we have discussed electrodes manufacturing process, epidural electrodes implantation surgery, environmental enrichment protocol, NORT protocol, BTS setup, EEG - BTS coupling for simultaneous monitoring in real-time, and EEG data analysis based on automatic events detection.

The present article provides a guide for the conduction and analysis of three conditioning-based protocols to evaluate impulsivity in rats. Impulsivity is a meaningful concept because it is associated with psychiatric conditions in humans and with maladaptive behavior in non-human animals. It is believed that impulsivity is composed of separate factors. There are laboratory protocols devised to assess each of these factors using standardized automated equipment. Delay discounting is associated with the incapacity to be motivated by delayed outcomes. This factor is evaluated through intertemporal choice protocols, which consist of presenting the individual with a choice situation involving an immediate reward and a larger but delayed reward. Response inhibition deficit is associated with the incapacity to withhold prepotent responses. Differential reinforcement of low rates (DLR) and feature-negative discrimination protocols assess the response inhibition deficit factor of impulsivity. The former imposes a condition to a motivated individual in which most wait a minimum period of time for a response to be rewarded. The latter evaluates the capacity of individuals to refrain from food seeking responses when a signal of the absence of food is presented. The purpose of these protocols is to construct an objective quantitative measure of impulsivity, which serves to make cross-species comparisons, allowing the possibility of translational research. The advantages of these particular protocols include their easy set-up and application, which stems from the relatively small amount of equipment needed and the automated nature of these protocols.

A new catalytic method to access allylic secondary CF3 products is described. These reactions use the visible light excited Ru(bpy)3Cl2·6H2O catalyst and the Togni or Umemoto reagent as the CF3 source. The photoredox catalytic manifold delivers enantioenriched allylic trifluoromethylated products not accessible under Cu(I) catalysis.

Organisms are constantly extracting information from the temporal structure of the environment, which allows them to select appropriate actions and predict impending changes. Several lines of research have suggested that interval timing is modulated by the dopaminergic system. It has been proposed that higher levels of dopamine cause an internal clock to speed up, whereas less dopamine causes a deceleration of the clock. In most experiments the subjects are first trained to perform a timing task while drug free. Consequently, most of what is known about the influence of dopaminergic modulation of timing is on well-established timing performance. In the current study the impact of altered DA on the acquisition of temporal control was the focal question. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were distributed randomly into three different groups (haloperidol, d-amphetamine or vehicle). Each animal received an injection 15 min prior to the start of every session from the beginning of interval training. The subjects were trained in a Fixed Interval (FI) 16s schedule followed by training on a peak procedure in which 64s non-reinforced peak trials were intermixed with FI trials. In a final test session all subjects were given vehicle injections and 10 consecutive non-reinforced peak trials to see if training under drug conditions altered the encoding of time. The current study suggests that administration of drugs that modulate dopamine do not alter the encoding temporal durations but do acutely affect the initiation of responding.

One of the adaptive abilities of the brain is the generation of a strategy to optimize acquisition of information, i.e., learning. In this study, we explored the role of environmental conditions (the light–dark cycle) and of the endocannabinoid anandamide in rats to select a strategy to solve the Barnes maze (BM). To determine the effects of manipulating the cannabinergic system on a spatial task in relation to the light–dark cycle. Rats received an intrahippocampal or intrastriatal administration of anandamide, AM251, or their combination at two different points of the light–dark cycle (1300 and 0100 hours), and their performance in the BM was evaluated. In addition, we determined the expression of the cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R) in the hippocampus and striatum throughout the light–dark cycle. Results indicate that rats solved the BM by using a spatial strategy during the light phase and a procedural (serial) strategy during the dark phase of the cycle. CB1R expression varied in the hippocampus, being higher at 1300 hours and lower at 0100 hours, whereas its expression remained unchanged in the striatum. Changes in the brain, which include changes in the endocannabinoid system, prompt it to use different strategies (spatial and procedural, or others not evaluated in this study) to cope with the environmental demands. These cerebral changes are adaptive responses to the light–dark cycle.

Study Objective Describe the impact of teen pregnancy on later ovarian activity and metabolic hormones considering the concentration of current levels of ovarian steroids and leptin in a sample of Mexican females. Design Cross-sectional study in the maternity of the General Hospital of Atlacomulco and campus of the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico. Participants 71women between the ages of 18 and 24, and 160 neonates seen between March 2010 and June 2012. Main Outcome Measures The measurements obtained included anthropometric body composition (bioelectrical impedance), serum hormone quantification of ovarian steroids and leptin (immunoassays), and the Apgar scores, height, and weight in neonates. Statistical analysis included ANOVA, Student, and chi-square for P Results Adolescent mothers showed significantly lower concentrations of estradiol (P = .001) and progesterone (P = .001). However, higher levels of leptin in adolescent mothers were not statistically different compared with older mothers (P = .84). Also, leptin was correlated with all measures of adiposity. The mean birth weights (P = .001) and Apgar scores (P = .001) were lower in neonates of adolescent mothers than in neonates of adult mothers. There was no association between maternal age with the anthropometric variables studied. Conclusions Early reproduction represents a metabolic stress condition that modifies the long term ovarian activity and metabolic hormones, and impacts the morbidity-mortality of the mother and offspring in a later vital life cycle stage.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated dementia (HAD) has been detected in 20–30% of patients suffering AIDS. The envelope glycoprotein 120 (gp120) derived from HIV seems to play a critical role in the pathophysiology of this dementia. Likewise, the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-derived gp120 causes neurological and electrophysiological abnormalitites in cats. We have studied the effects of gp120 derived from HIV or FIV on learning and memory processing, hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), hippocampal neuronal cAMP production, the sleep-waking cycle, and locomotor activity and equilibrium in rats. Results showed that while both HIV- and FIV-gp120 impaired the rat's performance in the Barnes maze task, only HIVgp120 impaired the induction and maintenance of LTP. However, both glycoproteins induced a significant decrease in the posttetanic potentiation. HIVgp120 also caused a significant reduction in cAMP production in the hippocampus. Regarding the sleep–waking cycle, HIV- and FIV-gp120 increased the waking state and slow-wave sleep 1 (SWS1), while decreasing both SWS2 and REM sleep. Locomotor activity and equilibrium were significantly altered by these glycoproteins. These results suggest that HIVgp120 causes neurophysiological abnormalities and therefore may facilitate HAD development in AIDS patients.

There are two independent mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit of the title compound, C21H18N6S. The mol­ecules are linked by C—H⋯S and C—H⋯N inter­molecular and π–π stacking inter­actions.

The trifluoromethylation reactions are performed with Togni reagent (II) to give branched allylic trifluoromethylated products.

Branched allylic CF 3 products are accessible by copper-catalyzed trifluoromethylation of allylsilanes with the Togni reagent I. The silyl group is critical to control the outcome of this reaction because in its absence, a product of addition between the alkene and the Togni reagent is formed preferentially. The reaction is inhibited with 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1- piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) and is likely to operate via multiple reaction pathways. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated dementia (HAD) is a frequent complication in HIV+ subjects. Several electrophysiological markers and motor control are altered in HIV+ subjects, including event-related potentials (N2-P3 changes). These are electrophysiological indicators of cognitive processing. The mechanisms by which HIV induces neurophysiological abnormality is still under research. However, several neurotransmitters have been implicated. For example, glutamate and the vasoactive intestinal neuropeptide (VIP). In this study, we support further this notion indicating that HIVgp120, a glycoprotein derived from HIV, is involved in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric abnormalities. We also have observations suggesting that one HIVgp120 mechanism of action is to interfere with cholinergic neurotransmission. Our results indicate that event-related potentials (ERP) were affected by HIVgp120, in particular N2 and P3. In addition, motor coordination was severely affected. Both parameters were maintained near normality when rats were simultaneously treated with nicotine. These results support further an HIVgp120-caused alteration of cholinergic neurotransmission that might be part of the etiology of neuropsychiatric disturbances.

The AIDS or HIV associated dementia is a cognitive-motor disease, characterized by a strong deficit of several cognitive processes such as attention, memory, sensory perception, motor control among others. The HIV associated dementia affects 30% of adult to 50% of infant HIV positive subjects. Since neurons are not infected by HIV, its principal target in the brain is microglia. The pathophysiology of this syndrome, therefore, remains to be disclosed. Several hypothesis have been proposed, one of them suggests that opportunistic infections can affect the brain. Another hypothesis suggests that microglia secretes toxic products as a result of HIV infection and those are the ones causing the damage and finally, the hypothesis, suggesting that the brain is damaged as a result of the insult caused by HIV-derived proteins. In vitro studies suggest that the HIVgp120, a viral surface protein, is highly neurotoxic. For example HIVgp120 increases cytoplasmic Ca+2 by two ways: facilitating glutamate neurotransmission increasing Ca+2 conductance, and activating the IP3 pathway, facilitating Ca+2 release from the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. This Ca+2 in turn, activates several internal signaling pathways such as the MAPK pathway. We use an animal model to test the HIVgp120 effect on neurophysiological signals and behavior as well as several pharmacological approaches to prevent the HIVgp120 neurotoxic effects. This review updates with the most recent literature discussing the potential mechanisms implicated in the pathophysiology of the AIDS dementia complex. We, in addition, hope the reader will be able to correlate the clinical symptoms observed in the HIV infected subjects and the HIVgp120-induced behavioral changes observed in animal models. Likewise, we discuss the new drugs we are testing, in order to offer a new pharmacological treatment to the patient.

Approximately 35% of HIV-infected subjects, both children and adults, exhibit alterations in the sleep-waking cycle. HIV surface glycoprotein gp120 has been postulated to contribute to this abnormality. For example, it has been reported that HIVgp120 modifies sleep in freely-moving rats and that it also activates the ERK pathway in brain slices. The goal of this work was to determine if sleep changes induced by HIVgp120 in normal rats are mediated by the MAPK pathway. Our results show that a single intraventricular administration of HIVgp120 selectively increases REMS and that such an increase can be prevented by U0126, an inhibitor of ERK activating enzyme, MEK. In contrast, SB202190, a MAPK-p38 inhibitor, had no effect on HIVgp120-induced increase in REMS. These results suggest that HIVgp120 increases REMS in the rat by specifically affecting the ERK signal transduction pathway.

Between 20 and 30% of AIDS patients have neurological symptoms characterized by motor impairment, memory loss and progressive dementia. Previous studies have implicated the HIV derived gp120, which produces behavioral deficits and electrophysiological alterations in rats. The goal of the present study was to describe the effect of this protein on the P3 event-related potential (ERP), evoked by a passive discrimination task in rats. We used II rats divided into two groups: HIV gp120 (n = 6) and control (n = 5). We recorded the P3 wave before any treatment (baseline), during the i.c.v. administration of either HIVgp 120 (700 ng/5 days) or saline (pH 7.2), and 24 h, 7, 14 and 21 days after the last injection. There were no changes between groups in the amplitude or latencies of the observed components (N1, P2, N2 and P3) evoked by target stimuli, during baseline or during the injection period. However, the HIV gp120 group showed a significant amplitude reduction in P3 wave 24 h after the last injection, while the N1, P2 and N2 waves remained unchanged. However, from the 7th day through the 21st day, P2 and N2 components also disappeared and only the N1 component could be observed in the HIV gp 20-treated group. These changes in the N2, P2 and P3 potentials, suggesting an alteration in cognitive processes, further support the neurotoxic activity of HIV gp120 and its role in AIDS dementia.

Tesis - (Doctorado en Psicología Clínica)