Carcass and Meat Quality Traits in an Embden×Toulouse Goose Cross Raised in Organic Dehesa.

This study assessed the influence of genetic type (Embden-Anser anser, EE; Toulouse-Anser anser, TT and F1 cross, ET) for meat characteristics (carcass, meat quality and fatty acid (FA) profiles), of domestic geese "Anser anser domesticus" raised in dehesa as an alternative, organic feeding system. Carcass and breast muscle weight (p<0.01) were greater for the ET group at the same live weight. None of the groups showed differences in the production of fatty liver with this type of feeding. Higher values were found for maximum Warner-Bratzler shear force (between 7.62 and 8.87 kg/cm(2)), which implies the improvement of this parameter. High levels of oleic FAs were obtained, especially for the TT group. The polyunsaturated/saturated FA ratio was highest for the ET group (p<0.001), reflecting the optimum nutritional values as a component of a healthy consumer diet.

Morphological study by scanning electron microscopy of the lingual papillae in the common European bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus).

There are many accounts of the tongues of mammals observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), but apparently only one article about the tongue of the Chiroptera. In the present study the tongue surface (after removing extracellular material) of the European common bat (Pipistrellus pipstrellus) was examined. The tongue is covered with papillae and has an elevation between its medial and posterior half. There are three types of papillae: filiform, fungiform and circumvallate, and the filiform can be classified as strictly filiform, conical and crown-like. The shapes and disposition of these papillae are related to function, which is principally to retain captured food during flight. At higher magnification the surface of the filiform papillae has many pores and microridges, which may serve for the production and distribution of mucus over the papillary surface.

[Neurobiology of addiction to drugs of abuse]. / Neurobiologia de la adiccion a las drogas de abuso.

OBJECTIVE: In this review we study drug addiction from a neurobiological point of view, emphasizing the dopamine hypothesis. This is basic to explain how a genetic feature is related with an alteration of this neurotransmitter and can connect with environmental factors to develop the addiction problem. DEVELOPMENT: Toxic addiction is defined as the physical or psychophysiological dependence on a special chemical substance, whose suppression arouses deprivation symptoms in the person. The study of addiction to different drugs gives us a new approach for knowing the strengthening systems. Because even thought we do not know precisely the nervous mechanism of these substances that cause pleasure, we suppose that they are in the same place as rewarding and strengthening the behaviour mechanisms. In this way the dopamine hypothesis has been developed: in this hypothesis drug addiction is closely connected with a genetic upset of this neurotransmitter, so there is a defect in the reward system. This in turn stimulates the substance abuse that increases the brain s dopamine levels. CONCLUSION: Knowing the neurobiological mechanisms involved in addiction and its relation with dopamine and the reward system can help us understand that problem and aid the rational development of treatment

Carotid canal dehiscence in the human skull.

Abnormalities of the floor of the carotid canal have been studied in 538 skulls. These abnormalities range from a fissure to total absence of the floor. This variation may be caused by abnormalities of the internal carotid artery or deficiencies in ossification of the skull base. CT suggests that these changes should be taken into account by surgeons working on the skull base.

Tubercle at the foramen magnum.

The presence of a tubercle in the anterior margin of the foramen magnum has been studied in a total of 382 skulls of white adult humans. Its incidence was 1.3%. A radiographic study of this tubercle has been carried out to clarify its cause and internal morphology. The position of this tubercle may be related to traumatic medullar lesions of the occipitovertebral region.

HDL metabolic activities in a boy with lipoprotein lipase deficiency and his family.

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessively inherited disease characterized by elevated triglyceride, low total cholesterol and quantitative and qualitative alterations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). The aim of the present study was to explore HDL metabolic activities in a patient with LPL deficiency and in his family (n = 11). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects were divided into four groups: proband (Ser447Stop/Arg170Leu carrier), Ser447Stop carriers, Arg170Leu carriers and silent mutation/wild-type carriers (controls). Cholesterol efflux from Fu5AH cells, lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), paraoxonase 1 (PON1) and platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) activities were evaluated. RESULTS: Comparison between the proband and the control group revealed that the boy had significantly reduced cholesterol efflux (P < 0.001), conserved LCAT activity (P > 0.05) and increased CETP activity (P < 0.001). As regards antioxidant enzymes, while PON1 activity was higher in the proband than in the controls (P < 0.0001), PAF-AH activity was reduced (P < 0.05). The other groups did not show relevant differences in comparison with controls. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of one mutation was not enough to introduce important modifications in HDL functions. Markedly reduced HDL levels can keep certain normal enzymatic activities, which probably tend to counteract the deleterious effects of LPL deficiency.

HDL oxidability and its protective effect against LDL oxidation in Type 2 diabetic patients.

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation is a crucial step in the atherosclerotic process. High density lipoprotein (HDL)-associated enzymes such as paraoxonase could exert a protective effect on LDL oxidation in the arterial wall, an effect which could be impaired in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We studied copper-induced oxidation in LDL and HDL isolated from 17 T2DM patients with fair glycaemic control and HDL-cholesterol within normal range and 17 healthy normolipidaemic control subjects. To evaluate the effect of HDL on LDL oxidation in diabetic and control subjects, we assessed copper-induced oxidation in HDL/LDL mixtures, with each lipoprotein isolated from the same subject. Relationships with HDL chemical composition, alpha-tocopherol content and serum paraoxonase activity were investigated. Oxidation was promoted by lipoprotein incubation with copper and then thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), conjugated diene production and electrophoretic mobility in agarose gel were measured. In T2DM subjects HDL oxidation was higher than in controls. However, HDL from diabetics was as effective as control HDL to inhibit LDL oxidation. Neither HDL chemical composition nor serum paraoxonase activity showed any difference as compared to control subjects. In contrast, HDL from T2DM subjects showed a higher alpha-tocopherol content which positively correlated with HDL oxidability. Paraoxonase activity positively and strongly correlated with HDL inhibitory effect on LDL oxidation in patients and controls belonging to the heterozygous activity phenotype. Besides, LDL oxidability showed no differences between patients and controls. These results suggest that fairly-controlled T2DM patients with HDL-cholesterol levels within normal range show: 1) normal HDL ability to inhibit LDL oxidation related to normal paraoxonase activity; 2) higher HDL oxidability in spite of its high alpha-tocopherol content, which could favour tocopherol-mediated peroxidation and 3) normal LDL oxidability possibly due to the lack of significant lipoprotein structural alterations.

Higher antioxidant defences in plasma and low density lipoproteins from rugby players.

BACKGROUND: Even if physical activity constitutes a well-known antiatherogenic factor, the precise mechanisms underlying this protective effect are not completely clear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lipid and antioxidant profiles were evaluated in 15 well-trained rugby players and 15 sedentary controls. Lipoprotein fractions were separated by sequential ultracentrifugation and alpha-tocopherol content was determined in each fraction by high-performance liquid chromatography. Susceptibility to in vitro oxidation was also measured in intermediate and low density lipoproteins isolated from both groups of subjects as the production of conjugated dienes. RESULTS: Although the sportsmen were not receiving any special diet or vitamin supplementation they showed a slightly improved lipoprotein profile, mainly represented by increased high density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels (P < 0.05), and an enhanced antioxidant status. The latter was evidenced by an increment in total radical antioxidant potential (P < 0.001), higher ascorbic acid (P < 0.005) and alpha-tocopherol (P < 0.05) plasma concentrations, and elevated activities of superoxide dismutase (P < 0.001) and arylesterase (P < 0.01). Moreover, only the fraction of intermediate and low density lipoproteins from rugby players presented higher alpha-tocopherol content in comparison with sedentary controls (484 +/- 67 vs. 377 +/- 123 microg dL(-1), respectively; P < 0.01). Nevertheless, the susceptibility to in vitro oxidation of this lipoprotein fraction was not different between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Given that intermediate density and low density lipoproteins represent the most atherogenic fraction, this finding, in combination with the improved lipid and antioxidant status, would add to the link between regular physical activity and protection against cardiovascular disease.

[Morphology of the posterior colliculus in epileptic hamsters]. / Comportamiento morfológico del colículo posterior en hamsters epilépticos.

In an inbred strain of Golden hamsters with audiogenic seizures, we have studied the collicular participation, planning a morphologic study of posterior colliculus central nucleus. The parameters used have been: number of neurons and glia, neuronal areas and area of all the colliculus. The measurement and the counts have been done in both sides and for to validate the results we have used an A.N.O.V.A.. In the epileptic group, there are a less number of neurons and a major correlation Nucleus/cytoplasm. The left-right correlations are positive for the neurons, while in the control group are for the glia. Although, the number of neurons in the epileptic animals are less, this are more active, which can be related to the participation of the colliculus in the audiogenic seizures.

[A case of obsessive symptoms in Huntington's disease]. / Un caso de síntomas obsesivos en la enfermedad de Huntington.

INTRODUCTION: Recently, some authors have postulated the existence of the so-called <>. This would include disorders that have the common point of the presence of repetitive thoughts and actions, which may either have a <> or <> nature. Certain neurological disorders with repetitive movements have also been grouped within this spectrum, including some forms of epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, Sydenham's Chorea or Huntington's disease. There is evidence that physiopathological connections may exist between some of these conditions. METHODS: A case of a patient with Huntington's Chorea with obsessive signs and symptoms is presented. The patient is a 50 year old male, diagnosed of Huntington's Chorea who is being treated with 25 mg/day of clozapine and 10 mg/day of clorazepate. The patient refused to eat certain foods for <>. He began to display other obsessive behaviors such as refusing to touch objects that might have been touched by others, and developed ritual checking methods. Treatment based on the administration of 40 mg/day of paroxetine was begun. With this treatment the compulsive symptoms have disappeared, as has the fear of choking. However, the choreic movements typical of his condition persist and the signs and symptoms associated with a process of dementia are becoming increasingly evident. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the case described may well be a good example of obsessive spectrum, and that the underlying physio-pathology should be studied.

[Assessment of frontal functions in psychiatric patients during maintenance electroconvulsive therapy]. / Evaluación de las funciones frontales en pacientes psiquiátricos durante el tratamiento con terapia electroconvulsiva de mantenimiento.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies on adverse cognitive effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) have not found any significant alteration of the frontal functions after an acute treatment course. This study aims to assess frontal executive functions in psychiatric patients during maintenance electroconvulsive therapy (M-ECT). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty two patients treated with M-ECT and 29 psychiatric patients never treated with ECT were evaluated with neuropsychological tests that assessed the following frontal functions: work memory, planning, cognitive flexibility, attention, visuomotor velocity, verbal abstract reasoning and phonetic verbal fluency. RESULTS: Multivariate global analysis did not detect significant frontal function tests differences between both groups. The M-ECT group only scored significantly lower on the FAS test, a test that measures phonetic verbal fluency. A significant correlation between number of previous ECT sessions and performance in the FAS was found. CONCLUSIONS: The M-ECT patient group presented a phonetic verbal fluency alteration that may also be associated to the previous number of ECT sessions. No significant differences in the other frontal functions were detected.

Subtypes of memory dysfunction associated with ECT: characteristics and neurobiological bases.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment for a variety of psychiatric syndromes. However, one of its adverse secondary effects is neurocognitive dysfunction. The aim of this paper is to review different subtypes of memory dysfunction associated with ECT from a neuropsychological perspective. Declarative memory is clearly impaired after ECT. Immediate memory, however, is broadly preserved. Few studies have addressed procedural and incidental memory. Selective memory is impaired, probably due to the disruption of specific brain regions. Some of the possible neurobiological bases of ECT memory dysfunction are discussed in this paper. Synaptic plasticity, the cerebral neurotransmission system, and cerebral metabolism are examined in relation to the dysfunction and subsequent recovery of each memory subtype.