Persistence of Ebola virus in semen among Ebola virus disease survivors in Sierra Leone: A cohort study of frequency, duration, and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Sexual transmission chains of Ebola virus (EBOV) have been verified and linked to EBOV RNA persistence in semen, post-recovery. The rate of semen persistence over time, including the average duration of persistence among Ebola virus disease (EVD) survivors, is not well known. This cohort study aimed to analyze population estimates of EBOV RNA persistence rates in semen over time, and associated risk factors in a population of survivors from Sierra Leone. METHODS AND FINDINGS: In this cohort study from May 2015 to April 2017 in Sierra Leone, recruitment was conducted in 2 phases; the first enrolled 100 male participants from the Western Area District in the capital of Freetown, and the second enrolled 120 men from the Western Area District and from Lungi, Port Loko District. Mean age of participants was 31 years. The men provided semen for testing, analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) for the presence of EBOV RNA. Follow-up occurred every 2 weeks until the endpoint, defined as 2 consecutive negative qRT-PCR results of semen specimen testing for EBOV RNA. Participants were matched with the Sierra Leone EVD case database to retrieve cycle threshold (Ct) values from the qRT-PCR analysis done in blood during acute disease. A purposive sampling strategy was used, and the included sample composition was compared to the national EVD survivor database to understand deviations from the general male survivor population. At 180 days (6 months) after Ebola treatment unit (ETU) discharge, the EBOV RNA semen positive rate was 75.4% (95% CI 66.9%-82.0%). The median persistence duration was 204 days, with 50% of men having cleared their semen of EBOV RNA after this time. At 270 days, persistence was 26.8% (95% CI 20.0%-34.2%), and at 360 days, 6.0% (95% CI 3.1%-10.2%). Longer persistence was significantly associated with severe acute disease, with probability of persistence in this population at 1 year at 10.1% (95% CI 4.6%-19.8%) compared to the probability approaching 0% for those with mild acute disease. Age showed a dose-response pattern, where the youngest men (≤25 years) were 3.17 (95% CI 1.60, 6.29) times more likely to be EBOV RNA negative in semen, and men aged 26-35 years were 1.85 (95% CI 1.04, 3.28) times more likely to be negative, than men aged >35 years. Among participants with both severe acute EVD and a higher age (>35 years), persistence remained above 20% (95% CI 6.0%-50.6%) at 1 year. Uptake of safe sex recommendations 3 months after ETU discharge was low among a third of survivors. The sample was largely representative of male survivors in Sierra Leone. A limitation of this study is the lack of knowledge about infectiousness. CONCLUSIONS: In this study we observed that EBOV RNA persistence in semen was a frequent phenomenon, with high population rates over time. This finding will inform forthcoming updated recommendations on risk reduction strategies relating to sexual transmission of EBOV. Our findings support implementation of a semen testing program as part of epidemic preparedness and response. Further, the results will enable planning of the magnitude of testing and targeted counseling needs over time.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone: stimulation of colonic activity following intracerebroventricular administration.

Intraventricularly administered thyrotropin-releasing hormone in rabbits elicited an increase in intraluminal pressure changes, a response commonly associated with muscular activity of the colon. The response appears to be central in origin with peripheral expression relying primarily on cholinergic receptors.

[Risk assessment of work-related upper limb musculoskeletal disorders in thirty factories in the upholstered furniture industry]. / Valutazione del rischio da movimenti e sforzi ripetuti degli arti superiori in trenta aziende del comparto del mobile imbottito.

BACKGROUND: One of the most common procedures for risk assessment of upper limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders (UL-WMSDs) in Italy is the OCRA synthetic index, which is recommended as the preferred method in the ISO standard 11228-3. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the survey was to assess the risk of UL-WMSDs due to repetitive strain and movements in thirty factories of the sofa industry located in a large geographic area of southern Italy. METHODS: The most characteristic working tasks of the manufacturing process were studied: filling preparation workers, leather-cutting operators, sewing and upholstery-assembly workers. The single tasks were carried out almost exclusively manually, with features of a handicraft approach. Data were collected through questionnaires and video tape recordings in each factory. The mean value of the OCRA index of every group of factories was calculated by weighting the values of the index of each single task group with the number of the workers. RESULTS: Figures obtained in the different factories showed values of the OCRA index ranging between 4 and 15. A 2,9 OCRA value was attributed to a low exposure group. CONCLUSIONS: Even though the work tasks analyzed were characterized by long duration of the manufacturing cycle (between 5 and 60 min), a particular but rigorous application of the OCRA procedures made it possible for a detailed risk assessment to be made for each of the working groups analysed.

[Manufacture of upholstered furniture and work-related upper limb musculoskeletal disorders: an industrial sector prevention project]. / Produzione del mobile imbottito: un progetto di ricerca finalizzato alla prevenzione delle patologie da sovraccarico biomeccanico degli arti superiori. Presentazione delle caratteristiche del comparto.

BACKGROUND: In cooperation with the IRCCS Fondazione Maugeri and the IRCCS Fondazione Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico - EPM-CEMOC, of Milan, the Local Health Unit in Bari, Italy carried out a research project, sponsored partly by the Italian Ministry of Health, on upper limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders (UL-WMSDs) in a specific manufacturing sector, the upholstered furniture industry. This "sofa district" is widely represented with approximately 14,000 workers and 500 factories over a wide geographic area of southern Italy. Advanced technology in the manufacturing process is combined with workers performing intensive arm-hand tasks. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study included: a) assessment of exposure to repetitive strain and movements of the upper limb in a representative sample of the factories using the OCRA method, b) analysis of the annual prevalence and incidence rates, c) definition of possible improvement via ergonomic solutions in the various factories. METHODS: Via a network of occupational physicians a total of more than 6000 subjects were examined over a 5-year period. Case-definition was assessed through standardized procedures. RESULTS: A detailed description of the manufacturing process of the upholstered furniture industry and of the characteristics of the working population is provided Exposed groups at risk were:filling preparation workers, leather-cutting operators, sewing and upholstery-assembly workers. CONCLUSIONS: Data collected in private companies of different size in this extensive industrial "sofa area" emphasize the importance of prevention through adequate ergonomic solutions and the need to improve training programmes covering the whole area.

[From mandatory to participatory prevention: a model applied to the upholstered furniture industry]. / Dalla prevenzione imposta alla prevenzione partecipata: un modello applicativo nel comparto del mobile imbottito.

BACKGROUND: The Italian 2006-2008 National Health Plan emphasizes synergy and cooperation between the agencies formally involved in the prevention of occupational risks, in agreement with social partners. The so-called 'triangle of the sofa industry' is an interregional geographic area south-west of Bari, Italy. In 2003 this area produced 16% of the world-wide upholstered furniture output, with more than 500 plants of varying size. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to set up a network of communication and cooperation between the competent Agencies and Regions in order to address the rising trend of upper limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders. METHODS: The first step of the National Health Service Unit in Bari was to assess risk via a Ministerial research project and implement various information campaigns involving institutions, occupational physicians, private companies and public opinion. In a subsequent phase a synergy between the local Departmenst ofPrevention of the different Regions, the Italian Institute for Insurance Occupational Accidents and Disease (INAIL), the trade unions and the upholstered furniture industry Association was established. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: New joint experimental projects (cutting tools, ergonomic table for assemblers, instruments for isokinetic evaluation) were launched together with training programmes for management, safety technicians and workers. This kind of 'participatory prevention' is more appropriate for the goal of a collaborative effort in order to assist the companies, which is a modern interpretation of the mission of public health prevention operators.

[Upper limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders (UL-WMSDs): a retrospective cohort study in three large factories of the upholstered furniture industry]. / Patologia da sovraccarico biomeccanico degli arti superiori: studio retrospettivo di coorte in tre grandi aziende del mobile imbottito.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiological evidence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (UL-WMSDs) due to repetitive strain and movements in the various industries has been collected in the literature mainly through cross-sectional surveys. In particular there are no contributions so far regarding the upholstered furniture industry with a longitudinal design. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence rate of WMSDs such as hand-wrist and shoulder tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and epicondylitis in exposed workers of three large companies of the upholstered furniture industry in a large geographic area of southern Italy. METHODS: The OCRA method, recommended by international standard ISO 11228-3 and EN 1005-5, was used for risk assessment. The following work tasks were considered:.filling preparation workers, leather-cutting operators, sewing and upholstery-assembly workers. A total population of 5,278 subjects (exposed n=2927, controls n=2351) was investigated. The person/year at risk parameters were calculated from 1 January 2000, or from the date of engagement if later, until the first diagnosis of WMSD or, in absence of disorders, until the end of the study, i.e. 31 December 2004. Disorders occurring after the first were not considered. A multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate relationships between rates. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Incidence rates correlated with risk classes of the OCRA index. An incidence rate of WMSDs higher than 1.2 cases per 100 person/year may be considered as a threshold value to suspect an occupational exposure to repetitive strain and movements warranting further investigation. The analysis of single factors did not show a greater predisposition of the female gender, with the single exception of the carpal tunnel syndrome (RR 2.92; 95% CI 1.57-5.43). Shoulder disorders affected mainly male leather-cutting operators (RR 4.97; 95% CI 2.03-12.16) and among all the factors influencing risk (frequency, force, posture, additional risk factors, pauses) posture seems to play a significant role.

[Prevalence of upper limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders (UL-WMSDs) in workers of the upholstered furniture industry]. / Prevalenza delle patologie da sovraccarico biomeccanico degli arti superiori negli addetti del comparto del mobile imbottito.

BACKGROUND: The upholstered furniture industry, the so-called "triangle of the sofa industry", is a geographic area of national and strategic economic importance in southern Italy. The single tasks are carried out mostly manually, with the characteristics of a handicraft approach. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the survey was to assess the prevalence of upper limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders (UL-WMSDs) in 30 factories of the sofa industry located in a large geographic area of the Puglia and Basilicata Regions. METHODS: In the period 1 January-31 December 2003 a network of occupational physicians investigated a population of 5.477 subjects (exposed n=3481, controls n=1996, M=3865, F=1612) in 30 different factories of the area. More than 60 percent of the total workforce studied was employed in large-sized companies (>500 employees). The following work tasks were considered: filling preparation workers, leather-cutting operators, sewing and upholstery-assembly workers. Case-definition was assessed through standardized procedures: symptoms by questionnaire plus physical and laboratory/imaging findings. RESULTS: Cumulative prevalence rates of UL-WMSDs as at 31 December 2003 reached values of up to 30% in high risk groups. Prevalence rates showed good correlation with the concise OCRA index used for assessment of exposure to repetitive strain and movements of the upper limb. The most frequently occurring disorders were tendon-related cysts and wrist tendonitis. Shoulder disorders were more frequent in male and female leather-cutting operators. CONCLUSIONS: This survey showed a significantly high prevalence of UL-WMSDs in sofa industry workers. It did not seem to be confirmed in this study that there was a greater female susceptibility to UL-WMSDs with the exception of carpal tunnel syndrome: gender difference seems to be less relevant at increasing levels of occupational exposure to repetitive movements and exertion of the upper limbs.

[Educational health programs in the construction industry of the Apulia Region, southern Italy]. / Percorsi formativi in edilizia nel territorio dell'AUSL BA/3, Regione Puglia.

31,000 building firms have been registered in the Apulia Region of Southern Italy, and 13.5% are concentrated in the area of the Local Health Bari/3. Especially small and middle-size firms (90% of total number) are assisted with information programs through dedicated local office. Educational and medical audit advanced programs carried out among occupational health professionals are described. A 'pilot project' for the regional health surveillance program in the construction industry is presented.

First report of cerebellar abiotrophy in an Arabian foal from Argentina.

Evidence of cerebellar abiotrophy (CA) was found in a six-month-old Arabian filly with signs of incoordination, head tremor, wobbling, loss of balance and falling over, consistent with a cerebellar lesion. Normal hematology profile blood test and cerebrospinal fluid analysis excluded infectious encephalitis, and serological testing for Sarcocystis neurona was negative. The filly was euthanized. Postmortem X-ray radiography of the cervical cephalic region identified not abnormalities, discounting spinal trauma. The histopathological analysis of serial transverse cerebellar sections by electron microscopy revealed morphological characteristics of apoptotic cells with pyknotic nuclei and degenerate mitochondria, cytoplasmic condensation and areas with absence of Purkinje cells, matching with CA histopathological characteristics. The indirect DNA test for CA was positive in the filly, and DNA test confirmed the CA carrier state in the parents and the recessive inheritance of the disease. To our knowledge this is the first report of a CA case in Argentina.

Effectiveness of a 95 SNP panel for the screening of breed label fraud in the Chinese meat market.

Breed assignment has proved to be useful to control meat trade and protect the value of special productions. Meat-related frauds have been detected in China; therefore, 95 SNPs selected from the ISAG core panel were evaluated to develop an automated and technologically updated tool to screen breed label fraud in the Chinese meat market. A total of 271 animals from four Chinese yellow cattle (CYC) populations, six Bos taurus breeds, two Bos indicus and one composite were used. The allocation test distinguished European, Japanese and Zebu breeds, and two Chinese genetic components. It correctly allocated Japanese Black, Zebu and British breeds in 100, 90 and 89% of samples, respectively. CYC evidenced the Zebu, Holstein and Limousin introgression. The test did not detect CYC components in any of the 25 samples from Argentinean butchers. The method could be useful to certify Angus, Hereford and Japanese Black meat, but a modification in the panel would be needed to differentiate other breeds.

[Radiological and functional progression in silicosis]. / Progressione radiologica e funzionale nella silicosi.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of silicosis has decreased today because of a clear improvement of working conditions. According to recent data from Italian National Compensation Agency (INAIL) silicosis represents more than 5% of occupational diseases claimed for annually. Since silicosis is an evolving chronic disease, it has serious consequences on patient health, modifying the quality of life and increasing public costs. Some studies show a relationship between occupational exposure to silica and radiological and functional deterioration, but the results are not satisfactory because of the variety of clinical patterns and the interference of many risk factors. OBJECTIVES: The aim of our investigation was to evaluate silicosis evolution in relation to living habits and to different occupational exposures. METHODS: All admissions from 1980 to 2000 in the Occupational Medicine Unit of the Maugeri Foundation in Cassano Murge (Bari), Southern Italy, with final diagnosis of silicosis were examined. From 586 medical records gathered, subjects with double admissions were selected and their chest radiographs and FVC, FEV1 from lung function test were detected. No industrial hygiene data were available and individual exposure was estimated through calculation of a global exposure index. RESULTS: On the basis of data quality control, 106 consecutive male patients were recruited (age at first admission 51.7 +/- 8.3 years, occupational exposure at second admission 23.8 +/- 9.1 years). More than 50% of the subjects had an estimated high risk exposure at work. The first diagnosis of silicosis was made at first admission in 40% of the cases, 33% of the patients had been suffering from silicosis for 10 years while 27% for more than 10 years. Chest radiographs showed mostly p, q nodular pattern, and over a 4. 7 +/- 3.3 year follow-up period they appeared largely unchanged, although 8 radiographs showed confluent areas, 18 subjects showed pleural thickening, 10 calcified opacities, 17 COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) with emphysema, 2 tubercolosis lesions, 4 radiographic abnormalities attributable to cancer (3 lung, 1 oesophageal). CONCLUSIONS: The mainly stationary results of chest radiographs and the slight loss of respiratory function we observed confirm the slow evolution over time of silicosis. Multiple logistic regression analysis of main risk factors showed that subjects with radiographic opacities having a diameter greater than 10 mm or conglomerate shadows at the time of diagnosis seem to have a lower risk of progression of the disease after a relatively short period of follow up, even in mining related exposure.

Fentanyl produces cholinergically-mediated analeptic and EEG arousal effects in rats.

Fentanyl (20 micrograms/kg i.p.), administered to naltrexone-pretreated, pentobarbital-anesthetized rats, produced a shortening of the duration of narcosis. This analeptic effect was blocked by atropine, but not by methylatropine, indicating that a central cholinergic mechanism was involved. Fentanyl also increased sodium-dependent high affinity uptake of choline activity in the hippocampus and cortex that had been depressed by the barbiturate. Injection of 0.8 ng of fentanyl into the pontis oralis in the pontine reticular formation also produced analepsis in naltrexone-pretreated, pentobarbitalized rats. Hippocampal EEG recordings also showed the appearance of cholinergically-mediated theta activity, which was indicative of arousal activity in the hippocampus. These results suggest that fentanyl, in addition to possessing potent opiate activity, also activates a nonopioid-mediated central cholinergic arousal system.

Morphine antagonizes pentobarbital-induced anesthesia.

Morphine was administered by the intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) route to pentobarbital-anesthetized rabbits. Small doses of morphine (less than 150 micrograms) potentiated, but larger doses (greater than 250 micrograms) shortened, the duration of anesthesia. In naltrexone-pretreated animals, all doses of morphine employed acted only as an analeptic. Atropine, but not atropine methylbromide, blocked the analeptic effect of morphine, indicating that a central cholinergic mechanism was involved in this response. Tolerance to the analeptic effect was not evident. These results suggest that morphine exerts an arousal action which is usually masked by the dominant narcotic properties, but which becomes evident when administered intracerebroventricularly or in the presence of naltrexone.

The effects of SCH 23390 and raclopride on cocaine-induced analepsis and EEG arousal in rabbits.

The effects of the dopamine D1 and D2 receptor antagonists on cocaine-induced, cholinergically-mediated analeptic and hippocampal theta activity in anesthetized rabbits were investigated. Cocaine (2 mg/kg, i.v.) reduced by 35% the duration of loss of righting reflex produced by a 25 mg/kg dose of pentobarbital. This shortening of narcosis time was blocked by pretreating the animals with the D1 antagonist, SCH 23390 (0.1 mg/kg) but not with the D2 antagonist raclopride (1-2 mg/kg). Cocaine (5 mg/kg, i.v.) also produced a short burst of increased hippocampal theta activity in urethane-anesthetized rabbits, which was also blocked by SCH 23390 but not by raclopride. An unexpected finding was that raclopride itself, at 2 mg/kg (i.v.), produced a marked activation of theta activity that lasted for 15-20 min. When cocaine was administered after this time it produced a potentiated theta response, both in duration and in magnitude. These results suggest that in the rabbit, cocaine exerts a cholinergically-mediated behavioral and EEG arousal through a D1 dopamine mechanism. The role of the D2 system is less clear but appears to be antagonistic to the D1-mediated response.

Further evidence that N-terminal pro-opiomelanocortin peptides are involved in adrenal mitogenesis.

In order to demonstrate the mitogenic effects of N-terminal pro-opiomelanocortin (N-POMC) peptides on the adrenal glands further, female rats with bilateral adrenal enucleation (hereafter referred to as enucleation) were hypophysectomized 11 days after enucleation and injected twice daily with 5 micrograms purified human N-POMC(1-28), ACTH(1-24) or 0.9% (w/v) NaCl. On day 14 after enucleation, rats were injected with colchicine and, after killing, their adrenal glands weighed, fixed and mitotic counts in histological sections assessed. Plasma corticosterone was measured fluorometrically. In other experiments, rats 7 days after enucleation were hypophysectomized and implanted with osmotic minipumps delivering 5 micrograms purified N-POMC(1-28) per day. On day 14 after enucleation, animals were treated as above. Collagenase-dispersed adrenal cells were incubated with purified or synthetic N-POMC(1-28) or synthetic N-POMC (1-36) (1-300 nmol/l) and [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA was determined. Intact female rats were implanted with osmotic minipumps delivering 8 micrograms purified or synthetic N-POMC(1-28)/day, 8 micrograms synthetic N-POMC(1-36)/day or saline alone. Mitotic counts were performed on histological sections. Both s.c. injection or continuous delivery from minipumps of purified N-POMC(1-28) partially prevented the atrophy of regenerating adrenal glands after hypophysectomy (s.c. injection of N-POMC: 2.29 +/- 0.92 mitoses/section compared with 0.52 +/- 0.39 for controls; minipump delivery: 5.02 +/- 0.97 compared with 0.13 +/- 0.05; P less than 0.01 for both experiments). ACTH did not augment mitotic activity in enucleated-hypophysectomized rats but significantly increased plasma concentrations of corticosterone in s.c. injection experiments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenal regeneration in the rat is mediated by mitogenic N-terminal pro-opiomelanocortin peptides generated by changes in precursor processing in the anterior pituitary.

In order to investigate the role of N-terminal proopiomelanocortin (N-POMC) in adrenal regeneration after bilateral adrenal enucleation (hereafter referred to as enucleation) rats 13 days after enucleation were injected (200 microliters s.c. plus 200 microliters i.p.) at 08.00 and 20.00 h with normal rabbit serum (NRS), an ACTH antiserum or an N-POMC antiserum. On the next day the animals were injected with colchicine, killed and mitotic figures in adrenal histological sections counted. The same treatment was given to rats 20 days after enucleation. Only the N-POMC antiserum significantly diminished adrenal mitotic activity 14 and 21 days after enucleation (P less than 0.01 and 0.05 respectively) when compared with NRS-treated enucleated rats, whereas plasma corticosterone levels in rats 14 days after enucleation were significantly (P less than 0.005) decreased only by treatment with ACTH antiserum. To determine whether the mitogenic N-POMC peptides involved in adrenal regeneration originated from the pituitary intermediate lobe, 0.9% (w/v) NaCl or ergocryptine (10 mg/kg body weight) was administered s.c. twice daily to rats between 7 and 13 days after enucleation. On day 14, adrenal mitotic activity and plasma levels of ACTH and N-POMC were not significantly different between ergocryptine and saline-treated enucleated rats, whereas alpha-MSH levels in ergocryptine-treated enucleated rats were significantly (P less than 0.02) decreased. Increases in N-POMC content of the pituitary lobe accompanied those of ACTH in animals 7, 10, 14 and 21 days after enucleation (P less than 0.01 compared with sham-treatment). Anterior lobes from rats 10 days after enucleation or from adrenalectomized rats showed raised ACTH and N-POMC levels compared with sham-treated animals, whereas alpha-MSH content in the anterior lobe of enucleated rats was significantly (P less than 0.005) decreased. Adrenalectomized animals had raised (P less than 0.005) amounts of alpha-MSH compared with sham-treated animals. Plasma levels of ACTH and N-POMC were significantly (P less than 0.01) raised in rats 10 days after enucleation or in adrenalectomized rats compared with those in sham-treated animals, whereas alpha-MSH levels were raised (P less than 0.005) only in adrenalectomized rats. Sephadex G-75 chromatography of anterior lobe extracts obtained 10 days after surgery from sham-treated, enucleated and adrenalectomized rats was performed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Influence of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) on drug-induced narcosis and hypothermia in rabbits.

Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) administered via the intracerebroventricular (icv) route in doses ranging between 0.1 and 100 mug decreased the duration of pentobarbital-induced narcosis in rabbits. Antagonism of narcosis occurred whether TRH was administered before or after the barbiturate. TRH doses above 10 mug produced, in addition, behavioral excitation and hyperthermia. The antagonism of phenobarbital-induced narcosis was not as profound; animals were aroused only for a short period of time, after which the narcotized state returned. However, TRH exerted a prolonged antagonism or reversal of the phenobarbital-induced hypothermia. The central nervous system depression and analgesia produced by morphine were unaffected by TRH, but hypothermia and respiratory depression were reversed. TRH may represent an arousal factor in mammalian brain.

Chronic treatments with zotepine, thioridazine, and haloperidol affect apomorphine-elicited stereotypic behavior and striatal 3H-spiroperidol binding sites in the rat.

Apomorphine (AP)-elicited sterotypic behavior and striatal 3H-spiroperidol binding sites were studied in rats given 3 weeks of chronic treatment with one of the following neuroleptic drugs: zotepine (10 or 20 mg/kg/day IP); thioridazine (10 or 20 mg/kg/day IP); haloperidol (2 or 5 mg/kg/day IP). On days 10-12 after the chronic neuroleptic treatment, enhancement of AP-elicited stereotypy was seen in the high- and low-dose haloperidol-treated, as well as in the high-dose thioridazine and zotepine-treated rats when compared to that of saline-injected controls. No significant change in the response to AP was found in the low-dose thioridazine and zotepine-treated animals. Significant increases in the concentration of striatal 3H-spiroperidol binding sites were seen after treatment with all three neuroleptics, both high and low doses. A positive correlation was found between AP-elicited stereotypy and the concentration of striatal 3H-spiroperidol binding sites in the haloperidol-treated and control rats. However, no such correlation was seen after chronic thioridazine and zotepine treatments.

Centrally administered vasopressin antagonizes pentobarbital-induced narcosis and depression of hippocampal cholinergic activity.

Intracerebroventricular (ICV) microinjection of arginine vasopressin (AVP) to pentobarbital-anesthetized rats produced shortening of the duration of narcosis. This analeptic effect was blocked by atropine, indicating the central cholinergic nature of the response. AVP also increased hippocampal sodium-dependent high affinity choline uptake activity that had been depressed by the barbiturate. The AVP analeptic effect was blocked by pretreatment with a V-1 (vasopressor), but not a V-2 (antidiuretic), vasopressin receptor antagonist. These results suggest that ICV AVP produces its analeptic effect by interacting with central V-1 receptors to activate a hippocampal cholinergic arousal system. The cholinergic arousal effect may be a factor in the memory enhancing property of AVP.