Anterior open-bite and sucking habits in Italian preschool children.

AIM: To evaluate the consequences of prolonged sucking habits on the development of the orofacial complex in deciduous dentition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 235 preschool children. A questionnaire for children parents and clinical examinations were carried out by calibrated blinded examiners. The chi-square test and the T-Student test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of non-nutritive sucking habits (NNSH) in the sample was 74%. Anterior open-bite (AOB) was detected in 18%, and it was significantly related to non-nutritive sucking habits, bottle-feeding (only in the 3-year-old group) and persistent use of pacifier (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: NNSH and type of feeding were important contributing factors in the development of anterior open-bite in deciduous dentition.

Interference of confounding factors on the use of (1,3)-beta-D-glucan in the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis in the intensive care unit.

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are an increasing problem in intensive care units (ICUs), and conventional diagnostic methods are not always reliable or timely enough to deliver appropriate antimicrobial therapy. The dosage of fungal antigens in serum is a promising diagnostic technique, but several confounding factors, such as treatment with immunoglobulins (Ig), albumin, or antifungals, could interfere with the correct interpretation of the (1,3)-beta-D-glucan (BG) assay. This study assessed the reliability of the BG assay and the influence of timing and dosage of major confounding factors on circulating levels of IFI biomarkers. 267 ICU patients who underwent a BG assay were retrospectively studied. The timing and dosage of albumin, use of azole treatment, and infusions of intravenous IgG, red blood cells, concentrated platelets, and frozen plasma were analyzed to find possible correlations with the BG results. The sensitivity and specificity of the BG assay were calculated. The BG test in serum showed high sensitivity (82.9 %) but low specificity (56.7 %). The optimal cut-off for the test was 95.9 pg/mL. The mean BG level in proven invasive candidiasis was around 400 pg/mL. The only factor that was found to significantly confound (p < 0.05) the diagnostic performance of the BG assay was the administration of more than 30 g of albumin within 2 days prior to BG testing. The BG assay remains a useful diagnostic test in ICU patients and the levels of BG are useful in evaluating the positive predictive value of this biomarker. The only confounding factor in our study was the use of albumin.

Regulatory T cells expressing CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor restore homeostasis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a progressive disease leading to immune-mediated tissue damage, associated with an alteration of lymphoid organs. Therapeutic strategies involving regulatory T (Treg) lymphocytes, which physiologically quench autoimmunity and support long-term immune tolerance, are considered, as conventional treatment often fails. We describe here a therapeutic strategy based on Tregs overexpressing FoxP3 and harboring anti-CD19 CAR (Fox19CAR-Tregs). Fox19CAR-Tregs efficiently suppress proliferation and activity of B cells in vitro, which are relevant for SLE pathogenesis. In an humanized mouse model of SLE, a single infusion of Fox19CAR-Tregs restricts autoantibody generation, delay lymphopenia (a key feature of SLE) and restore the human immune system composition in lymphoid organs, without detectable toxicity. Although a short survival, SLE target organs appear to be protected. In summary, Fox19CAR-Tregs can break the vicious cycle leading to autoimmunity and persistent tissue damage, representing an efficacious and safe strategy allowing restoration of homeostasis in SLE.

Do changes in spheno-occipital synchondrosis after rapid maxillary expansion affect the maxillomandibular complex?

AIM: This was to evaluate changes in spheno-occipital synchondrosis one year after rapid maxillary expansion (RME), in order to assess the influence that any change might have on sagittal and vertical skeletal cephalometric variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were selected consecutively and grouped into: Group 1 comprised 30 Caucasian patients (13 m; 17 f) undergoing RME therapy; after active expansion therapy, the Haas expander was worn as passive retainer for an average of 7 months. Group 2 as control included 14 untreated subjects (6 m, 8 f), matched by age, sex and vertebral skeletal maturity (CVM method, stages 1-3). Six cephalometric variables concerning spheno-occipital synchondrosis were studied: N-S-Ba; SOS-Ba; SOS-S; S-Ba; Ba-N; S-N; nine skeletal variables for sagittal and vertical evaluation were also checked. T-test was used for comparing the 2 groups data. RESULTS: A statistically-significant opening of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis and increase of the posterior cranial base length (Ba-SOS) were found between group 1 and 2. After 1 year, these modifications in spheno-occipital syncondrosis produced no change in the anteroposterior or vertical skeletal parameters examined. CONCLUSION: After RME there were statistically significant effects on spheno-occipital synchondrosis length and cranial base angle; however, these changes in the mid-term did not affect the vertical or sagittal parameters of the skeletal maxillomandibular complex.

Buccal Alveolar Bone changes and upper first molar displacement after maxillary expansion with RME, Ni-Ti leaf springs expander and Tooth- Bone-borne Expander. A CBCT based analysis.

AIM: To evaluate the buccal alveolar bone changes and the upper first molar displacement in subjects treated with conventional rapid maxillary expansion (RME), Ni-Ti leaf springs expander (Leaf Expander) and Tooth-Bone-borne Expander (Hybrid Expander) using CBCT scans. METHODS: The sample consisted of 52 children treated with RME (n=18), Leaf Expander (n= 17) and Hybrid Expander (n= 17). CBCTs were taken before and after maxillary expansion and the Horos software was used for the analysis. Descriptive statistics and paired t-test were used to assess changes between the pre-treatment and post-treatment measurements. ANOVA test and Tukey's post hoc test with Bonferroni correction was used for between groups comparison. CONCLUSION: The Hybrid Expander during preadolescence showed few advantages over the use of tooth-anchored expanders. An expansion approach with mini-screws is not preferable during early mixed dentition to a conventional approach. The differences in dental tipping values were clinically insignificant and the reduction in cortical bone thickness remained less than 1 mm. When possible, the use of second primary molars as anchorage should be preferred.

Skeletal and dento-alveolar changes obtained with customised and preformed eruption guidance appliances after 1-year treatment in early mixed dentition.

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the skeletal and dento-alveolar changes produced by a customised eruption guidance appliance (EGA) and a preformed EGA in subjects presenting a skeletal class II pattern during early mixed dentition and to evaluate the differences between the two devices. METHODS: All subjects included in the study were randomly selected from the record's archive according to the following inclusion criteria: (1) patients presenting upper central incisor and first permanent molars fully erupted; (2) early mixed dentition with age between 7 to 9 years old; (3) Angle class I or class II malocclusion; (4) increased overjet > 4 mm;(5) deep bite with at least 2/3 overlapping of the incisors; (6) no previous orthodontic treatment apart from maxillary expansion treatment. All children belonging to the case group received treatment with a 3D printed EGA whereas the other patients belonging to the control group were treated with preformed EGA. Records consisted in digital dental models and lateral cephalogram at the beginning (T0) and after 1 year of treatment (T1). Data collected on the digital models included the dentoalveolar changes in overbite, overjet, sagittal molar relationship, and dental crowding. Cephalometric tracings were computed by a single blinded observer using Dolphin Imaging software. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS (version 25.00; IBM Corp, Armonk, NY). Comparison regarding the cephalometric changes between T1-T2 was carried out with paired t-test. Difference in distribution regarding sagittal molar and canine relationship and anterior crowding between groups at T1 and T2 has been computed with chi-square test. The independent sample t-test was used to perform the between group comparison. CONCLUSION: In the short time, both the appliances showed to be effective in correcting class II malocclusion, anterior crowding, overjet and overbite. Custom-made appliance demonstrated to be significantly more effective in correcting anterior crowding, the dento-skeletal vertical relation and position of permanent incisor compared to the preformed appliance. Adopting a customised device, effects due to an average prescription appliance used to a specific patient can be reduced, resulting in more predictable results.

Maxillary "en masse" high-pull traction in Class II division 1 subjects: Which kind of skeletal outcomes does it produce?

AIM: The aim of the present prospective study was to evaluate if the treatment performed using high-pull traction on a Stephenson plate had real orthopaedic outcomes in subjects with severe Class II Division 1 malocclusion due to maxillary protrusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three growing patients showing Class II Division 1 malocclusion (Stephenson plate group, SPG) were treated and compared with an untreated Class II control group (CG - 21 subjects selected from the database of Bolton-Brush Growth Study). Lateral cephalograms at T0 and T1 for both groups were analysed using cephalometric tracing by Jarabak, Pancherz and Ghosh-Nanda. RESULTS: Orthopaedic forces were applied in SPG. SPG group showed significantly greater decrease than CG group of SNA° (-1.4° vs +0.7°), ANB° (-1.3° vs +0°), WITS (-1° vs 0.6°), overjet (-4.1 mm vs +0.3 mm), molar relationships (-6.1° mm vs -0.1 mm) and upper incisors proclination (1/SpP, -10.3° vs -1°). The maxilla substantially maintained its position (A/OLp +0.3 mm, SNA° -1.4°) while the mandible slightly grew (Pg/OLp +1.7 mm; SNB° + 0.7°). Facial pattern and AFA/AFP ratio did not change. CONCLUSION: The high-pull traction on the Stephenson plate produced more dental than skeletal outcomes in growing subjects, despite of the application of orthopaedic forces.

Complex odontoma at the upper right maxilla: Surgical management and histomorphological profile.

BACKGROUND: Odontomas are hamartomatous developmental malformations of the dental tissues. Usually asymptomatic, their presence is often revealed on routine radiographs. The study aimed to establish the efficacy of this conventional approach in treating odontomas, analysing clinical outcome, follow-up, and histomorphological profile. CASE REPORT: A case is presented with a review of the international literature. The patient, aged 8 years, had a complex odontoma localised on the front upper jaw. She was treated following the conventional surgical procedure. Post-operative course and healing were uneventful. Orthodontic treatment was necessary to realign the teeth. At the 12-month follow-up there was no recurrence or failure. Healing was excellent. CONCLUSION: Variations in normal tooth eruption are a common finding, but significant deviations from established norms should alert the clinician to further investigate the patient's health and development.

Effectiveness of an educational and physical programme in reducing headache, neck and shoulder pain: a workplace controlled trial.

This study was an 8-month controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a workplace educational and physical programme in reducing headache and neck and shoulder pain. Central registry office employees (n = 192; study group) and 192 peripheral registry office and central tax office employees (controls) in the city of Turin, Italy were given diaries for the daily recording of pain episodes. After 2 months, the study group only began the educational and physical programme. The primary end-point was the change in frequency of headache and neck and shoulder pain expressed as the number of days per month with pain, and as the proportion of subjects with a >or= 50% reduction of frequency (responder rate). The number of days of analgesic drug consumption was also recorded. Diaries completed for the whole 8 months were available for 169 subjects in the study group and 175 controls. The baseline frequency of headache (days per month) was 5.87 and 6.30 in the study group and in controls; frequency of neck and shoulder pain was 7.12 and 7.79, respectively. Mean treatment effects [days per month, 95% confidence interval (CI)] on comparing the last 2 months vs. baseline were: headache frequency -2.45 (-3.48, -1.43); frequency of neck pain -2.62 (-4.09, -1.16); responder rates (odds ratio, 95% CI) 5.51 (2.75, 11) for headache, 3.10 (1.65, 5.81) for neck and shoulder pain, and 3.08 (1.06, 8.90) for days with analgesic drug consumption. The study suggests that an educational and physical programme reduces headache and neck and shoulder pain in a working community.

Understanding the biomimetic properties of gallium in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: an XAS and XPS study.

Pyochelin (PCH) is a siderophore (extracellular chelator) produced by the pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO). PCH is implicated in iron (Fe3+) transport to PAO, and is crucial for its metabolism and pathogenicity. Due to the chemical similarity with Fe3+, gallium (Ga3+) interferes with vital iron-dependent processes in bacterial cells, thereby opening new perspectives for the design of specific metal-based antibacterial drugs. However, the structural basis for the Fe3+-mimetic properties of Ga3+ complexed with the PCH siderophore is still lacking. A precise knowledge of the coordination chemistry at the metal site is one of the topmost issues in the production of novel biomimetic metal-based drugs. Elucidation of this issue by means of a deep structural spectroscopic investigation could lead to an improved interference with, or a specific inhibition of, relevant biological pathways. For this reason, we applied Synchrotron Radiation induced X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (SR-XPS) and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) to probe the electronic nature and coordination chemistry of Fe3+ and Ga3+ coordinative sites in PCH metal complexes. Combined XAFS and SR-XPS studies allow us to demonstrate that both Fe and Ga have the same valence state in Fe-PCH and Ga-PCH, and have the same octahedral coordination geometry. Moreover, a similar next neighbour distribution for Fe and Ga, resulting from the EXAFS data analysis, strongly supports similar coordination chemistry at the origin of the biomimetic behaviour of Ga.

Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors: implications for brain diseases.

Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and plays a unique role in a variety of central nervous system (CNS) functions. The discovery of the metabotropic receptors (mGluRs), a family of G-protein coupled receptors than can be activated by glutamate, has led to an impressive number of studies in recent years aimed at understanding their biochemical, physiological and pharmacological characteristics. The eight mGluRs now known are divided into three groups according to their sequence homology, signal transduction mechanisms, and agonist selectivity. Group I mGluRs include mGluR1 and mGluR5, which are linked to the activation of phospholipase C; Groups II and III include all others and are negatively coupled to adenylyl cyclases. The availability in recent years of agents selective for Group I mGluRs has made possible the study of the physiological roles of these receptors in the CNS. In addition to mediating glutamatergic neurotransmission, Group I mGluRs can modulate other neurotransmitter receptors, including GABA and the ionotropic glutamate receptors. Group I mGluRs are involved in many CNS functions and may participate in a variety of disorders such as pain, epilepsy, ischemia, and chronic neurodegenerative diseases. This class of receptor may provide important pharmacological therapeutic targets and elucidating its functions will be relevant to develop new treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders in which glutamatergic neurotransmission is abnormally regulated. In this review anatomical, physiological and pharmacological results are presented with a special emphasis on the role of Group I mGluRs in functional and pathological processes.

Heavy metals accumulation in two syntopic sandhopper species: Talitrus saltator (Montagu) and Talorchestia ugolinii Bellan Santini and Ruffo.

We assessed the capacity for heavy metals accumulation in Talorchestia ugolinii by standard methods of heavy metals analysis. To compare the bioaccumulation in syntopic sandhopper species, we collected samples of T. ugolinii and Talitrus saltator living on the same and on different beaches in Corsica. There was a marked difference in the zonal distribution of the two species along the sea-land axis of the beach: T. ugolinii was distributed nearer the water line than T. saltator. The bioaccumulation capacity of T. ugolinii only partly matched that of the Mediterranean T. saltator: while Hg, Zn, Cu, and Cd were accumulated by both species, Al and Fe were accumulated by T. saltator but not by T. ugolinii. Pb was accumulated only by T. ugolinii, while Cr did not seem to be accumulated by either species. The bioaccumulation in sympatric T. saltator and T. ugolinii specimens collected on the same beach reflected the general trend of the two species on the Tyrrhenian and Corsican coasts, respectively. Moreover, six of the eight heavy metals considered (Hg, Pb, Zn, Fe, Al, Cu) were present in higher quantities in T. ugolinii than in T. saltator, independently of whether the trace elements were accumulated by the two species. Thus, there are some differences between T. ugolinii and T. saltator, even when the two species live in the same locality. These differences involve their zonation within the damp belt of sand, the bioaccumulation of some heavy metals (Al, Pb, Fe), and the quantity of each heavy metal in the body, independent of the bioaccumulation capacity.

Tinnitus and its relationship with muscle tenderness in patients with headache and facial pain.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine tinnitus prevalence in patients with different types of headache and the relationship between tinnitus and the pericranial muscle tenderness and cervical muscle tenderness scores. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted of 1251 patients with migraine and/or myogenous pain, arthrogenous temporomandibular joint disorders and tension-type headache. Standardised palpation of the pericranial and cervical muscles was carried out and univariable and multivariable analysis was used to measure the odds ratio of suffering tinnitus by the different diagnoses and muscular tenderness grade. RESULTS: A univariable analysis showed that myogenous pain, pericranial muscle tenderness and cervical muscle tenderness scores, sex, and age were associated with tinnitus. When a multivariable model including only age, sex and a headache diagnosis was used, myogenous pain, migraine and age were found to be associated with tinnitus. When muscle tenderness scores were also included, only the cervical muscle tenderness and pericranial muscle tenderness scores were found to be significantly associated with tinnitus. CONCLUSION: In a population of patients with headache and craniofacial pain, tinnitus was related to increased cervical muscle tenderness and pericranial muscle tenderness scores, rather than to any particular form of headache.

Potentiation of NMDA and AMPA responses by the specific mGluR5 agonist CHPG in spinal cord motoneurons.

The specific metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR)5 agonist (RS)-2-chloro-5-hydroxyphenylglycine (CHPG) is able to potentiate NMDA and AMPA responses recorded from ventral roots of the isolated hemisected baby rat spinal cord. Previously we have demonstrated that activation of group I mGluRs (mGluR1 and mGluR5) with the broad spectrum mGluR agonist 1S,3R-1-amino-1,3-cyclopentanedicarboxylate (ACPD) produced potentiation of ionotropic glutamate responses. In contrast to ACPD-induced potentiation, however, no evidence for an involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) is found in the CHPG-induced potentiation of both NMDA and AMPA depolarization because the PKC blockers chelerythrine chloride or calphostin C did not antagonize this effect. Moreover, in the absence of Ca2+ in the perfusing medium or depleting intracellular Ca2+ stores with thapsigargin or dantrolene did not modify the CHPG-induced enhancement of NMDA depolarizations. Phorbol-12,13-diacetate (PDA), on the other hand, was able to attenuate this effect, which was reversed by chelerythrine chloride. These results suggest that both mGluR5 and mGluR1 may act to enhance ionotropic glutamate responses but the two types of mGluRs may have different intracellular mechanisms of action.

Potentiation of NMDA and AMPA responses by group I mGluR in spinal cord motoneurons.

Application of the metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonist (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (1S,3R-ACPD) and the Group I selective mGluR agonist (RS)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) potentiated NMDA- and AMPA-induced potential changes recorded from ventral roots of the isolated hemisected baby rat spinal cord. Potentiation produced by 1S,3R-ACPD was completely abolished by the Group I selective mGluR antagonists (S)-4-carboxyphenylglycine (4CPG) or (+)-alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (MCPG). In addition, the protein kinase C (PKC) blockers staurosporine or chelerythrine chloride were able to antagonize the 1S,3R-ACPD-induced potentiation of both NMDA and AMPA response, suggesting that the enhancing effect induced by Group I mGluRs is modulated by a PKC-mediated mechanism. The mGluRs-induced potentiation of NMDA and AMPA responses may be important in modulating various forms of synaptic plasticity and nociceptive processes.

Involvement of mGluR(5) on acute nociceptive transmission.

The effect of the mGluR(5) antagonist, MPEP (2-Methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine), and of the mGluR(1) antagonist, AIDA((RS)-1-Aminoindan-1,5-dicarboxylic acid), were examined on nociceptive neurons in the ventroposterolateral (VPL) nucleus of the thalamus in response to pressure stimuli to the contralateral hindpaw of rats under urethane anesthesia. Intravenous (i.v.) injection of MPEP (0.1, 1, and 10 mg/kg) blocked responses to noxious stimulation in a dose-dependent and reversible manner. AIDA (3 and 15 mg/kg, i.v.), in contrast, had no effect on these cells. MPEP action was selective to noxious stimulation because even when tested at the highest dose (10 mg/kg, i.v.) it did not alter the responses of non-nociceptive neurons to brush stimulation. To investigate the site of action of MPEP, intra-thalamic injections were made during electrophysiological recordings. Using this method, the mGluR(5) antagonist did not affect nociceptive responses, suggesting that thalamic receptors were not involved in this action. On the other hand, the NMDA thalamic receptors seem to be involved because the NMDA receptor antagonist, MK801, successfully blocked responses to noxious pressure stimulation following intra-thalamic injections. In the spinal cord in vitro model, MPEP (30 microM, 60 min) was also able to attenuate ventral root potentials after single shock electrical stimulation of the dorsal root and inhibit wind-up response evoked by repetitive stimulation. Taken together, these findings suggest that blockade of the mGluR(5), but not mGluR(1) decreases nociceptive transmission in the thalamus and that these effects may be mediated by spinal cord receptors.

Antagonists of the metabotropic glutamate receptor do not prevent induction of long-term potentiation in the dentate gyrus of rats.

The effects of two competitive metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor antagonists, (RS)-alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (MCPG) and (S)-4-carboxylphenylglycine (4CPG), were studied on long-term potentiation in the dentate gyrus of rats under urethane anaesthesia. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of MCPG or 4CPG 30 min prior to tetanic stimulation of the perforant path in rats did not affect the induction of long-term potentiation measured by extracellular recording. As a control, i.c.v. injections of the NMDA receptor antagonist, dl(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic (dl-AP5), effectively blocked long-term potentiation. These results suggest that the mGlu receptor subtype blocked by MCPG and 4CPG is not involved in long-term potentiation in the dentate gyrus.

Metabotropic glutamate group II receptors are responsible for the depression of synaptic transmission induced by ACPD in the dentate gyrus.

The functional role of metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors in the rat dentate gyrus was investigated. By using extracellular recording techniques in slices, it was found that the depression induced by the mGlu receptor agonist (1S,3R)-1-amino-cyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylate (ACPD) was mediated through the mGlu group II receptors. The mGlu receptor antagonist alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (MCPG) (500 mu M), active at group I and group II subtype receptors, was effective in antagonizing the ACPD (30 mu M) - induced depression of the excitatory field potentials. An antagonist selective for group I, (S)-4-carboxyphenylglycine (4CPG), did not block the effects induced by ACPD, but by itself produced a dose-dependent depression of the field potentials. This ACPD-like effect shown at high concentrations of 4CPG (300 mu M) is explained by its group II receptor agonistic properties and was blocked by bath application of MCPG (500 mu M). A selective agonist of group I, (S)-3-hydroxyphenylglycine (3-HPG), did not cause any depression of synaptic transmission. However, the selective mGlu group II receptor agonist, (2S,3S,4S)-alpha-(carboxycyclopropyl)glycine (L-CCG-I), induced a marked dose-dependent depression and its action was blocked by MCPG (500 mu M). Furthermore, the selective mGlu group III receptor antagonist, alpha-methyl-L-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate (MAP4) (500 mu M), was not able to antagonize the depression induced by ACPD (30 mu M), but was effective in blocking the action induced by the selective mGlu group III agonist, L-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate (L-AP4) (100 mu M). These results indicate that mGlu group II receptors, but not groups I or III, are involved in the depression of synaptic transmission in the dentate area of the hippocampus induced by ACPD.

Ethanol alters brain phospholipid levels which correlate with altered brain morphology.

The effects of embryonic exposure on brain phospholipid levels were studied by injecting various concentrations of ethanol into fertile chicken eggs at 0 days of development. At 18 days of development, the levels of total phospholipids and various phospholipid classes were assayed in brain tissue and correlated to neuron densities within the cerebral hemispheres and the optic lobes. Although ethanol concentrations ranging from 0 to 3700 microns/Kg egg wt. failed to influence either total brain weight or total brain phospholipid levels, ethanol-induced changes in the levels of individual phospholipid classes were observed. When injected with 7 microns of ethanol/Kg egg wt., a 2- to 3-fold increase in brain phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) levels were observed with reduced levels of brain phosphatidylcholine (PC) and brain sphingomyelin (SP). When injected with 74 microns of ethanol/Kg egg wt., ethanol-induced increases in brain phosphatidylserine (PS) and PE were observed with ethanol-induced decreases in brain PC and SP. Cell fractionation studies demonstrated ethanol-induced increases in brain PE and PS and ethanol-induced decreases in brain PC and SP in nuclear, mitochondrial, and microsomal membranes. These ethanol-induced alterations in brain phospholipid profiles correlated with ethanol-induced reductions in neuron densities within the cerebral hemispheres and optic lobes.

Astronomical orientation and learning in the earwig Labidura riparia.

Astronomical orientation experiments have been carried out on adults and young of the earwig Labidura riparia. In the water, the earwigs.