UV Photochemistry of Acetylacetaldehyde Trapped in Cryogenic Matrices.

The broad band UV photochemistry of acetylacetaldehyde, the hybrid form between malonaldehyde and acetylacetone (the two other most simple molecules exhibiting an intramolecular proton transfer), trapped in four cryogenic matrices, neon, nitrogen, argon, and xenon, has been studied by IRTF spectroscopy. These experimental results have been supported by B3LYP/6-311G++(2d,2p) calculations in order to get S0 minima together with their harmonic frequencies. On those minima, we have also calculated their vibrationally resolved UV absorption spectra at the time-dependent DFT ωB97XD/6-311++G(2d,2p) level. After deposition, only the two chelated forms are observed while they isomerize upon UV irradiation toward nonchelated species. From UV irradiation effects we have identified several nonchelated isomers, capable, in turn, of isomerizing and fragmenting, even if this last phenomenon seems to be most unlikely due to cryogenic cages confinement. On the basis of these findings, we have attempted a first approach to the reaction path of electronic relaxation. It appeared that, as with acetylacetone, the path of electronic relaxation seems to involve triplet states.

Mental performance in 8-year-old children fed reduced protein content formula during the 1st year of life: safety analysis of a randomised clinical trial.

In humans, maximum brain development occurs between the third trimester of gestation and 2 years of life. Nutrition during these critical windows of rapid brain development might be essential for later cognitive functioning and behaviour. In the last few years, trends on protein recommendations during infancy and childhood have tended to be lower than that in the past. It remains to be demonstrated that lower protein intakes among healthy infants, a part of being able to reduce obesity risk, is safe in terms of mental performance achievement. Secondary analyses of the EU CHOP, a clinical trial in which infants from five European countries were randomised to be fed a higher or a lower protein content formula during the 1st year of life. Children were assessed at the age of 8 years with a neuropsychological battery of tests that included assessments of memory (visual and verbal), attention (visual, selective, focused and sustained), visual-perceptual integration, processing speed, visual-motor coordination, verbal fluency and comprehension, impulsivity/inhibition, flexibility/shifting, working memory, reasoning, visual-spatial skills and decision making. Internalising, externalising and total behaviour problems were assessed using the Child Behaviour Checklist 4-18. Adjusted analyses considering factors that could influence neurodevelopment, such as parental education level, maternal smoking, child's gestational age at birth and head circumference, showed no differences between feeding groups in any of the assessed neuropsychological domains and behaviour. In summary, herewith we report on the safety of lower protein content in infant formulae (closer to the content of human milk) according to long-term mental performance.

Effect of point mutations on the ultrafast photo-isomerization of Anabaena sensory rhodopsin.

Anabaena sensory rhodopsin (ASR) is a particular microbial retinal protein for which light-adaptation leads to the ability to bind both the all-trans, 15-anti (AT) and the 13-cis, 15-syn (13C) isomers of the protonated Schiff base of retinal (PSBR). In the context of obtaining insight into the mechanisms by which retinal proteins catalyse the PSBR photo-isomerization reaction, ASR is a model system allowing to study, within the same protein, the protein-PSBR interactions for two different PSBR conformers at the same time. A detailed analysis of the vibrational spectra of AT and 13C, and their photo-products in wild-type ASR obtained through femtosecond (pump-) four-wave-mixing is reported for the first time, and compared to bacterio- and channelrhodopsin. As part of an extensive study of ASR mutants with blue-shifted absorption spectra, we present here a detailed computational analysis of the origin of the mutation-induced blue-shift of the absorption spectra, and identify electrostatic interactions as dominating steric effects that would entail a red-shift. The excited state lifetimes and isomerization reaction times (IRT) for the three mutants V112N, W76F, and L83Q are studied experimentally by femtosecond broadband transient absorption spectroscopy. Interestingly, in all three mutants, isomerization is accelerated for AT with respect to wild-type ASR, and this the more, the shorter the wavelength of maximum absorption. On the contrary, the 13C photo-reaction is slightly slowed down, leading to an inversion of the ESLs of AT and 13C, with respect to wt-ASR, in the blue-most absorbing mutant L83Q. Possible mechanisms for these mutation effects, and their steric and electrostatic origins are discussed.

Impact of improved urban environment and coaching on physical condition and quality of life in elderly women: a controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity can slow the ageing process and preserve autonomy in the elderly. The aim of this study was to assess the combined impact of an organized urban walking circuit and individual coaching on women senior citizens' physical well-being and quality of life. METHODS: Insufficiently physically active women >65 years were included in a quasi-experimental trial. Active arm: District with improved urban environment (IUE). Control arm: District without improved urban environment (WIUE). In each district, subjects were randomly allocated to receive coaching (C+ vs. C-). The main outcome measures were endurance, physical activity score, flexibility, quality of life, physical self-esteem, ageing exercise stereotypes, functional health and perceived health at baseline, three (M3) and six (M6) months. RESULTS: Fifty-two insufficiently physically active women were included, 23 in IUE and 29 in WIUE. Groups were comparable at baseline. At M3, endurance and physical activity score significantly improved compared with baseline in the IUE group and in the C+ group while no statistically significant change was observed for the WIUE group and the C- group. Moreover, endurance score was higher in the IUE group, whether coupled with coaching or not. After the coaching was removed, the IUE group regresses to baseline overall and the WIUE shows a decrement in endurance. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights the positive impact of an improved environment and of individual coaching on the level of physical activity and quality of life of insufficiently physically active elderly women.

Effect of protein intake and weight gain velocity on body fat mass at 6 months of age: the EU Childhood Obesity Programme.

INTRODUCTION: Higher protein intake during the first year of life is associated with increased weight gain velocity and body mass index (BMI). However, the relationship of protein intake and weight gain velocity with body composition is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To assess if the increases in weight gain velocity and BMI induced by protein intake early in life are related to an increase in fat or fat-free mass. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In all, 41 infants randomized at birth to a higher or lower protein content formula (HP=17 and LP=24, respectively) and 25 breastfed infants were included. Anthropometric measures were assessed at baseline, 6, 12 and 24 months, and fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) were assessed by isotope dilution at 6 months. RESULTS: Weight gain velocity (g per month) during the first 6 months of life was significantly higher among HP infants (807.8 (±93.8) vs 724.2 (±110.0) (P=0.015)). Weight gain velocity strongly correlated with FM z-score (r=0.564, P<0.001) but showed no association with FFM z-scores. FFM showed no association with BMI. Nevertheless, FM strongly correlated with BMI at 6, 12 and 24 months (r=0.475, P<0.001; r=0.332, P=0.007 and r=0.247, P=0.051, respectively). FFM and FM z-scores did not differ significantly between HP and LP infants (0.32±1.75 vs -0.31±1.17 and 0.54±2.81 vs -0.02±1.65, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our findings support the hypothesis that higher protein intakes early in life are associated with faster weight gain and in turn to higher adiposity. This mechanism could be a determinant factor for later obesity risk.

Gut microbiota is associated with metabolic health in children with obesity.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We aimed to describe and characterize the gut microbiota composition and diversity in children with obesity according to their metabolic health status. METHODS: Anthropometry, Triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, HOMA-IR, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) were evaluated (and z-score calculated) and faecal samples were collected from 191 children with obesity aged from 8 to 14. All children were classified depending on their cardiometabolic status in either a "metabolically healthy" (MHO; n = 106) or "metabolically unhealthy" (MUO; n = 85) group. Differences in gut microbiota taxonomies and diversity between groups (MUO vs MHO) were analysed. Alpha diversity index was calculated as Chao1 and Simpson's index, and ß-diversity was calculated as Adonis Bray-Curtis index. Spearman's correlations and logistic regressions were performed to study the association between cardiometabolic health and the microbiota. RESULTS: Children in the MUO presented significantly lower alpha diversity and richness than those in the MHO group (Chao1 index p = 0.021, Simpson's index p = 0.045, respectively), whereas microbiota ß-diversity did not differ by the cardiometabolic health status (Adonis Bray-Curtis, R2 = 0.006; p = 0.155). The MUO group was characterized by lower relative abundances of the genera Christensenellaceae R7 group (MHO:1.42% [0.21-2.94]; MUO:0.47% [0.02-1.60], p < 0.004), and Akkermansia (MHO:0.26% [0.01-2.19]; MUO:0.01% [0.00-0.36], p < 0.001) and higher relative abundances of Bacteroides (MHO:10.6% [4.64-18.5]; MUO:17.0% [7.18-27.4], p = 0.012) genus. After the adjustment by sex, age, and BMI, higher Akkermansia (OR: 0.86, CI: 0.75-0.97; p = 0.033), Christensenellaceae R7 group (OR: 0.86, 95% CI: 075-0.98; p = 0.031) and Chao1 index (OR: 0.86, CI: 0.96-1.00; p = 0.023) represented a lower risk of the presence of one or more altered cardiovascular risk factors. CONCLUSION: Lower proportions of Christensenellaceae and Akkermansia and lower diversity and richness seem to be indicators of a metabolic unhealthy status in children with obesity.

Teaching young consumers in Europe: a multicentre qualitative needs assessment with educators on food hygiene and food safety.

AIM: Foodborne illnesses have a significant global burden and can be life-threatening, with higher risk in vulnerable groups such as children. SafeConsume is an EU-funded, transdisciplinary project aiming to improve consumers' food safety behaviour. Developing educational resources on food safety for use in schools has potential to improve teaching of our young consumers. The aim of this study was to explore school educators' attitudes, behaviours and knowledge towards food hygiene, safety and education. METHODS: Focus groups and interviews in England, France, Portugal and Hungary explored educator knowledge, skills, intentions and beliefs around educating young people (11-18 years) about food safety. Data were analysed using NVivo and emerging themes were applied to the Theoretical Domains Framework. RESULTS: A total of 48 educators participated. Knowledge, confidence and skills to teach food safety to young people varied depending on background and training. Educators reported they had a role to teach food safety to young people, were positive about delivering education and optimistic they could improve students' food safety behaviour. Barriers to teaching included lack of national curriculum coverage, limited time and money, and lack of facilities. Educators reported that social influences (family, celebrity chefs, public health campaigns and social media) were important opportunities to improve young peoples' awareness of food safety and consequences of foodborne illness. CONCLUSION: Educator food safety expertise varied; training could help to optimise educator knowledge, confidence and skills. Ministries of Health and Education need encouragement to get food safety incorporated further into school curricula across Europe, so schools will be motivated to prioritise these topics.

HPV sampling options for cervical cancer screening: preferences of urban-dwelling Canadians in a changing paradigm.

Introduction: Of women in Canada diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer, 50% have not been screened according to guidelines. Interventions involving self-collected samples for human papillomavirus (hpv) screening could be an avenue to increase uptake. To guide the development of cervical cancer screening interventions, we assessed ■ preferred sample collection options,■ sampling preferences according to previous screening behaviours, and■ preference for self-sampling among women not screened according to guidelines, as a function of their reasons for not being screened. Methods: Data were collected in an online survey (Montreal, Quebec; 2016) and included information from female participants between the ages of 21 and 65 years who had not undergone hysterectomy and who had provided answers to survey questions about screening history, screening interval, and screening preferences (n = 526, weighted n = 574,392). Results: In weighted analyses, 68% of all women surveyed and 82% of women not recently screened preferred screening by self-sampling. Among women born outside of Canada, the United States, or Europe, preference ranged from 47% to 60%. Nearly all women (95%-100%) who reported fear or embarrassment, dislike of undergoing a Pap test, or lack of time or geography-related availability of screening as one of their reasons for not being screened stated a preference for undergoing screening by self-sampling. Conclusions: The results demonstrate a strong preference for self-sampling among never-screened and not-recently-screened women, and provides initial evidence for policymakers and researchers to address how best to integrate self-sampling hpv screening into both organized and opportunistic screening contexts.

Spatial analysis of the 1999-2000 highly pathogenic avian influenza (H7N1) epidemic in northern Italy.

The effect of proximity on infected premises was evaluated during the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) epidemic that struck northern Italy in 1999-2000 by quantifying the spatial and temporal clustering of cases. The epidemic was caused by an H7N1 subtype of type A influenza virus that originated from a low-pathogenic AI virus that spread among poultry farms in northeastern Italy in 1999 and eventually became virulent by mutation. More than 90% of 413 infected premises were located in Lombardy and Veneto regions; of 382 outbreaks, 60% occurred in the Lombardy region and 40% in the Veneto region. Global and local spatial statistics were used to estimate the location and degree of clustering of cases with respect to the population at risk. Outbreaks were spatially clustered primarily in Lombardy, with a large cluster in Brescia province and another in Mantua province, on the border of Veneto. Time series analysis was used to assess the temporal clustering of outbreaks. Temporal aggregation increased during the first 5 wk and decreased thereafter (probably as a result of eradication measures enforced in the Veneto region). Spatio-temporal clustering was assessed considering the Temporal Risk Window (TRW), the time period during which premises remain infectious and infection can spread to neighboring premises. The clustering pattern was similar to the one detected when considering spatial clustering (i.e., the larger clusters were identified in the Brescia and Mantua provinces of Lombardy). These results highlight the role of proximity in the spread of AI virus and, when considering the TRW, indicate the possible direction of virus spread.

Factors associated with pre-slaughter mortality in turkeys and end of lay hens.

Pre-slaughter transportation may affect poultry welfare and mortality rates. A retrospective analysis was conducted to examine the effect of environmental, management and individual factors on the percentage of dead birds during pre-slaughter transportation (dead-on-arrival, DOA). The variables accounted for in the analyses included: environmental temperature, travel duration, genetic line, gender, crate type and crate stocking density. Among the 41 452 loads of turkeys (34 696 388 birds) and 3241 of end of lay hens (21 788 124 birds) transported to three large abattoirs in northern Italy in a 3-year period, the median DOA was 0.14% in turkeys, and 0.38% in hens. In turkeys, travel duration longer than 30 min, temperature higher than 26°C and high in-crate densities were associated with increased DOA. In winter (⩽2°C), high stocking densities did not reduce the mortality risk from cold stress; on the contrary, for stocking densities either near to or just above the maximum density in EC Reg. 1/2005, the DOA risk was greater than for loads with densities of 10 kg/m2 less than the EC maximum. Male birds and specific genetic lines also showed a higher DOA. In hens, transportation lasting longer than 2 h and the brown-feathered breed were associated with higher DOA. Dead-on-arrival progressively increased with travel duration, remaining constant between 4 and 6 h and peaking at 8 h (median: 0.57%). The maximum DOA increase was detected during winter. These results show that several species-specific factors may lead to increased risk of mortality.

Cab4b, the first human platelet antigen carried by glycoprotein IX discovered in a context of severe neonatal thrombocytopenia.

Essentials Life-threatening maternofetal thrombocytopenias mostly depend on αIIb ß3 antigens. We performed serological, genomic and in vitro studies of two life-threatening thrombocytopenias. Identification of a c.368C>T variation leading to Pro123Leu substitution in GPIX. A rare GPIX variant reported in a genomic database define a new alloantigen. SUMMARY: Background After three miscarriages, a 39-year-old woman gave birth, with a 1-year interval, to two severely thrombocytopenic neonates (4 ×109 L-1 and 33 ×109 L-1 ) with intracranial hemorrhages. Transfusion of platelet concentrates corrected the thrombocytopenia. The outcome was favorable for the first child, but the second one died 10 days after cesarean delivery (31 weeks of gestation + 6 days). Methods Serologic studies were performed with mAb-specific immobilization of platelet antigens and flow cytometry techniques. Human platelet alloantigen (HPA) genotyping was performed with the BioArray HPA BeadChip and PCR-sequence-specific primer techniques. Genomic DNA was studied by direct sequencing of PCR products. The mutant glycoprotein (GP) was expressed in transiently transfected HEK293 cells. Results In MAIPA assay, the maternal serum faintly reacted with GPIbIX from paternal and child 1 platelets, but not with maternal or panel platelets. No maternofetal incompatibility was found in the 22 known HPA systems, tested except for HPA-1b in child 2. A new alloantigen carried by GPIbIX was suspected. Genomic sequencing revealed a paternal GPIX variation (NM_000174.4:c.368C>T). The father and children were heterozygous and incompatible with the mother, who was NM_000174.4:c.368C homozygous. The maternal serum reacted with the GPIX NP_000165.1:p.Leu123 form coexpressed with GPIb in transfected HEK293 cells. The NM_000174.4:c.368T allele (rs202229101) has a minor allele frequency of 0.0002, and was not detected in 120 French subjects (families with fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia [FNAIT]), suggesting that it is rarely implicated in alloimmunization. Conclusion The NP_000165.1:p.Leu123 allele named Cab4b is the first platelet alloantigen described on GPIX. In the absence of other known maternofetal incompatibility, the child 1 case suggests that anti-Cab4b alloantibodies can induce severe thrombocytopenias.

Analysis of the 1999-2000 highly pathogenic avian influenza (H7N1) epidemic in the main poultry-production area in northern Italy.

We evaluated the effects of risk factors and control policies following the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) epidemic that struck northern Italy's poultry industry in the winter of 1999-2000. The epidemic was caused by a type-A influenza virus of the H7N1 subtype, that originated from a low-pathogenic AI virus which spread among poultry farms in northeastern Italy in 1999 and eventually became virulent by mutation. Most infected premises (IP) were located in the regions of Lombardy and Veneto (382 out of 413, 92.5%), and the eradication measures provided for in the European legislation were enforced. In Veneto, where flock density was highest, infection-control was also accomplished by means of depopulation of susceptible flocks through a ban on restocking and pre-emptive slaughter of flocks that were in the vicinities of or that had dangerous contacts with IPs. In Lombardy, such control measures were applied to a lesser extent. Infection incidence rate (IR) was 2.6 cases per 1000 flocks per day in Lombardy and 1.1 in Veneto. After the implementation of infection-control measures, the at-risk population, the percentage of flocks < or =1.5 km from IPs, and the HPAI-IR underwent a greater reduction in Veneto than in Lombardy. Although the proximity (< or =1.5 km) to IPs in the temporal risk window (TRW) was a major risk factor for HPAI at the individual flock level, its effect at the population level (population-attributable fraction) did not exceed 31.3%. Viral transmission therefore also occurred among relatively distant flocks. Turkey flocks were characterised by greater IR of HPAI compared with other bird species such as layer hens, broilers, gamebirds, and waterfowl, even when located at distances >1.5 km from IPs. In Lombardy, IR for species other than turkeys was also relatively high.

[Assessing the use of procalcitonin in the hospitalised young febrile infant]. / Valoración del uso de la procalcitonina en el lactante febril hospitalizado.

INTRODUCTION: The use of procalcitonin (PCT) in the evaluation of the febrile infant in the emergency care unit has been widespread. The aim of this study is to assess whether the introduction of PCT has changed the management of hospitalised febrile infants and the cost/effectiveness of this marker. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed comparing 2 periods: January-December 2009 (without PCT) and January-December 2011 (routine use of PCT). Infants aged 7 to 90 days with fever who were admitted to a university hospital and had a blood test performed were included in the study. Bacterial infection rate, antibiotic use, hospitalisation days, and analytical costs were compared. Evaluations were made using PCT, C-reactive protein (CRP), white cell count, Rochester score, and the lab-score proposed by Galetto-Lacour for the diagnosis of bacterial infection. RESULTS: A total of 109 patients were included in period 1, and 111 in period 2 (87 of which had a PCT value). The prevalence of bacterial infection, use of antibiotics, number of blood tests, and days of hospital admission was similar in both periods. The blood test cost was significantly higher in the second period. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 70.6, 58.1, 52.6 and 75%, respectively for the CRP (cut-off 1mg/dL) and 41.7; 78.4; 57.7, and 65.6% for the PCT (cut-off value 0.5ng/ml). CONCLUSIONS: The use of PCT does not seem to have a significant impact on the management of the hospitalised febrile infant.

[Suitability of autologous blood donation before bone marrow donation]. / Pertinence du prélèvement sanguin autologue et de sa transfusion lors d'un don de moelle osseuse.

We assessed the benefit of predeposite autologous blood donation (PAD) before bone marrow (BM) donation on transfusion requirements, haemoglobin concentrations (Hb) and the occurrence of adverse events (AE). We collected data retrospectively from 50 donors of BM with PAD from 2010 to 2014. An autologous transfusion (AT) was given to 50% of the donors (group 1). In the group 2, the products from PAD were not used. The total volume median of marrow harvested was 17.7 mL/k (range 12.3-21.4) in the group 1 and 13.3 mL/k (8.6-22.6) in the group 2. The female ratio was higher in the group 1 (60%) than in the group 2 (16%). Bone marrow harvest led to a decline in Hb (from PAD to first day after BM donation) by 2.9 g/dL (1.5-5.5) in the group 1 and by 3.5 g/dL (1.2-5) in the group 2. The post-harvest Hb (D+1) median was identical in the two groups: 10.9 g/dL (7.6-13.5) in the group 1 versus 11.5 g/dL (9.3-13.4) in the group 2. Six AE were reported in each group. In the group with AE, the median weight was lower: 58 k (50-71) versus 75 k (52-110); and the median total volume of marrow harvested was higher: 20.1 mL/k (9.9-21.4) versus 14.3 mL/k (8.6-22.6). All post-harvest Hb were ≥ 7.6g/dL. This study shows the high loss of Hb after BM donation but not enough to prove a blood transfusion in BM donors with median age of 36 years (16-62) and without comorbidity. The occurrence of AE (25% of BM donors) justifies a careful surveillance after the BM donation. The PAD should not be routinely offered to bone marrow donors.

Lithium chloride antileukemic activity in acute promyelocytic leukemia is GSK-3 and MEK/ERK dependent.

We recently identified that the MEK/ERK1/2 pathway synergized with retinoic acid (RA) to restore both transcriptional activity and RA-induced differentiation in RA-resistant acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells. To target the MEK/ERK pathway, we identified glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß) inhibitors including lithium chloride (LiCl) as activators of this pathway in APL cells. Using NB4 (RA-sensitive) and UF-1 (RA-resistant) APL cell lines, we observed that LiCl as well as synthetic GSK-3ß inhibitors decreased proliferation, induced apoptosis and restored, in RA-resistant cells, the expression of RA target genes and the RA-induced differentiation. Inhibition of the MEK/ERK1/2 pathway abolished these effects. These results were corroborated in primary APL patient cells and translated in vivo using an APL preclinical mouse model in which LiCl given alone was as efficient as RA in increasing survival of leukemic mice compared with untreated mice. When LiCl was combined with RA, we observed a significant survival advantage compared with mice treated by RA alone. In this work, we demonstrate that LiCl, a well-tolerated agent in humans, has antileukemic activity in APL and that it has the potential to restore RA-induced transcriptional activation and differentiation in RA-resistant APL cells in an MEK/ERK-dependent manner.

New bioactivation mode for vascular prostheses made of Dacron polyester.

The performance of vascular prostheses, especially those of small calibre, still presents several problems. The use of polyesters such as the well-known poly(ethylene terephthalate) (Dacron) and, more recently, poly(tetrafluoroethylene) and polyurethanes provides a marked improvement. We have developed a process to increase the efficiency of such prostheses, using the ability of the Dacron polyester to be covalently modified by proteins under mild chemical conditions. The biomaterial is obtained from the particular interaction of elastin-solubilized peptides with type I + III collagens under very precise conditions. We have obtained an irreversible covalent bonding on Dacron. These biological conditions and the addition of connective proteins and glycosaminoglycans conferred on the resulting material a composition and a three-dimensional structure equivalent to the subendothelium, providing bioactive properties suitable for the development of a vascular prosthesis.

Effects of bromocriptine on self-administration of sweetened ethanol solutions in rats.

The effect of bromocriptine (BRO), a D2 receptor agonist, on chronic oral ethanol (ETOH) self-administration was tested in a home-cage environment. Male Wistar rats (n = 77) were food deprived for 24 h. Then, a period of 15 days of limited-access (1 h/day) to food and to a sweetened ETOH solution was started [3% w/v of glucose and several concentrations of ETOH depending upon the group: 0% (control group). 1.5%, 5% or 10% v/v]. Later, another period started in which rats were maintained in a free-choice, two-bottle situation with food, tap-water and the sweetened solution available for 24 h/day, for 14 days. Following this period, BRO (5 mg/kg, SC) was administered, once daily, for 5 days, in the same continuous free-access conditions. ETOH consumption was also studied for 4 days after the last BRO injection. BRO increased ETOH self-administration throughout the 5-day period, regardless of the ETOH concentration available, in the rats with previous higher ETOH intake, without effect in the control animals. In the control rats, water intake was increased, whereas in the group that had access to the lowest ETOH concentration a decrease in water consumption was found. The enhanced ETOH drinking was maintained after BRO treatment for the animals with previous higher ETOH intake. BRO effects on water consumption were also maintained. These data suggest that BRO can potentiate ETOH intake and provide further support for the role of dopamine (DA) systems in mediating volitional oral intake of ETOH.

Hepatic paraoxonase activity alterations and free radical production in rats with experimental cirrhosis.

Relationships between hepatic antioxidant paraoxonase (PON1) activity, lipid peroxidation, and liver injury were investigated in rats with CCl(4)-induced cirrhosis. The study was performed in 60 CCl(4)-treated rats and 60 control animals receiving a standard diet or one supplemented with zinc. Subsets of 10 animals each were killed at weeks 1, 5, and 7 of the study. Results showed that PON1 significantly decreased in rats given CCl(4) alone compared with control animals. This effect was partially reversed in animals receiving zinc. Conversely, lipid peroxides were significantly increased in rats given CCl(4) alone and returned to approximately normal values in animals receiving zinc supplement. PON1 was inversely correlated with lipid peroxidation in all the animals studied. These alterations coincided with changes in serum alanine aminotransferase activity. In vitro incubation of isolated microsomes with CCl(4) or malondialdehyde did not produce any significant changes in PON1, indicating that the decrease in PON1 in CCl(4)-treated animals was not secondary to a direct inhibitory effect of lipid peroxidation products. These data show a time course and quantitative relationship between PON1 activity and lipid peroxidation in rats with CCl(4)-induced cirrhosis and suggest that this enzyme plays a significant role within the antioxidant systems in liver microsomes.

Evaluation of a particle-enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay for the measurement of ferritin: application to patients participating in an autologous blood transfusion program.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a turbidimetric immunoassay for the measurement of ferritin, and to assay this method in a group of patients undergoing an autologous blood transfusion program. DESIGN AND METHODS: We used an ILab 900 analyzer. This instrument automates a particle-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay with an analysis time of 9 min. This technique was compared with a microparticle immunoassay. The turbidimetric assay was used to measure ferritin in a group of 30 patients undergoing an autologous blood transfusion program. RESULTS: The assay was linear in the range 3-1400 microg/L (r = 0.9999). The intra- and inter-assay imprecision (CV) at 20, 97 and 469 microg/L were <3.0 and <5.0%, respectively. Recovery was 88. 7 to 97.4%. The detection limit was 3 microg/L. Hemoglobin (