Effect of feed supplementation with kynurenic acid on the morphology of the liver, kidney and gills in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum, 1792), healthy and experimentally infected with Yersinia ruckeri.

Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is an endogenous substance produced on the kynurenine pathway which is primarily known for its neuroactive properties. Recently, it has been proven that KYNA is a selective ligand for G protein-coupled receptor (GPR 35), presented on immunocompetent cells such as T lymphocytes. This opens up new possibilities of its application as an immunostimulating substance in aquaculture. Thus far, no histopathological investigations in fish have been completed to evaluate influence of KYNA supplementation in feed. This study has been undertaken to determine the effect of feed supplementation with KYNA (2.5, 25, 250 mg kg-1 of feed) for 28 days on the liver, gills and kidney in healthy fish and experimentally infected with Yersinia ruckeri. In a control group were observed a fatty liver, which is natural for this fish species in the autumn and winter season. As the dose of the supplement was increased, the fat liver changed, it decreased or completely disappeared. Additionally, inflammatory changes occurred in all the analysed organs, and their intensification was dose dependent. In the fish experimentally infected, KYNA caused aggravation of the signs in the liver, kidneys and gills, and the effect was dose dependent. The results implicate that KYNA may be a stressor for fish.

[A novel device for active shoulder rehabilitation with glenohumeral traction or compression]. / Ein neuartiges Gerät zur aktiven Schulterrehabilitation unter glenohumeraler Traktion oder Kompression.

The equipment available for rehabilitation of patients with joint conditions still lacks a device that, in common with usual physiotherapeutic measures (manipulation, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, Bobath therapy), is based on traction and/or compression or oscillating forms. The novel "Shoulder Rotator" is such a simple device for the variable treatment of shoulder disorders in all three spatial dimensions. After individual instruction, the patient performs rotating glenohumeral exercises with simultaneous glenohumeral joint traction, compression, or oscillations against static or dynamic resistance. The "Shoulder Rotator" is similar to the established continuous passive motion device for the shoulder and is mounted on a mobile chair. The electronic device control is computerised and permits a wide variety of treatment options, individual regimes, and documentation. The oscillating, compression/distraction mode of operation provides an analgesic effect. The isolated compression mode along the rotatory axis enables conditioning of joint proprioception. The distraction mode along the rotatory axis facilitates muscular relaxation. Resistive rotatory exercises strengthen the rotatory glenohumeral muscles and help centre the humeral head in the glenoid. In addition to the advantage of adding documentation of treatment progress as required for evidence-based medicine, this novel device may bring about a cost-effective, genuine quality improvement in shoulder rehabilitation.

Effectiveness of a prescale gel on subgingival calculus.

A prescale gel product, designed to facilitate the removal of calculus, has recently been introduced and marketed to the dental profession. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of this gel on the removal of subgingival calculus. 10 patients, each with 5 periodontally diseased teeth scheduled for extraction, participated in this in vivo/in vitro study. 4 teeth per patient were randomly assigned using a 2-by-2 block design and treated in vivo with either active or placebo gel, with or without scaling, prior to extraction. To assess possible overexposure to the product, 10 selected teeth from the sample were treated with active gel for an extended exposure time. Standardized scaling was performed on a 4x4 mm treated root area in vitro on groups as assigned. Quantification of residual calculus was determined by one examiner blind to treatment group assignment using SEM photomicrograph montages and the Java image analysis computer system. Repeated measures ANOVA showed no statistically significant treatment effect for gel (p > 0.05) in the scaled and no-scaled groups. The 5th group exposed to the prescale gel for an extended time was evaluated descriptively for root surface morphological changes with no noticeable effect. Based on the results of this investigation, treatment of subgingival calculus with prescale gel offers no advantage for calculus removal over scaling alone. The findings suggest no significant clinical impact of product use.

Neuroendocrine and psychological effects of restricted environmental stimulation technique in a flotation tank.

The restricted environmental stimulation technique or REST is a method of relaxation where the level of environmental sensory inputs is kept very low. A particular REST technique called tank flotation, or flotation REST, consists of 1 h sessions in a tank containing water with a high salt content and maintained at 35.5 degrees C. In this protocol, five normal subjects were studied before and during 2 h after a 60 min flotation REST session and a control session of 60 min in a supine position on a bed. Cortisol, thyreostimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), prolactin, melatonin, luteinizing hormone (LH), growth hormone (GH), beta-endorphin, vasopressin (ADH), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) were measured in plasma. HVA, 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and vanylmandelic acid (VMA) were measured in urine. There were no changes in hormones concentrations that could be attributed to flotation REST. The urinary excretion of VMA was lower after the flotation REST session. The psychological consequences of flotation REST were more easily demonstrated than the neuroendocrine changes that are assumed to reflect the state of relaxation. Flotation REST increased subjective levels of sedation and euphoria. The possible mechanisms by which flotation REST induces relaxation are discussed.

Phototherapy in individuals with and without subsyndromal seasonal affective disorder.

Antidepressant and energizing effects of bright light exposure (phototherapy) have been widely reported to occur in patients with seasonal affective disorder. We have attempted to evaluate whether other segments of the population might benefit from phototherapy, most notably individuals with subsyndromal seasonal affective disorder, as well as healthy individuals with no winter difficulties (controls). We have studied 20 subjects in each of these two categories and have found that bright artificial light did not alter mood and behavior in controls. In contrast, individuals with subsyndromal seasonal affective disorder responded favorably to treatment with bright environmental light. A dose of 5 hours of bright light exposure, divided between morning and evening, was more effective than 2 hours of exposure. This finding may have practical implications for establishing optimal environmental lighting conditions for those individuals whose winter difficulties do not meet criteria for seasonal affective disorder.

Phototherapy in subsyndromal seasonal affective disorder (S-SAD) and "diagnosed" controls.

Antidepressant and energizing effects of bright light exposure have been widely reported to occur in patients with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). In order to evaluate whether other segments of the population might also benefit from this treatment, we studied 20 normal individuals with mild SAD-like symptoms (subsyndromal SAD, S-SAD) and 20 with no reported seasonal difficulties (non-S-SAD). Whereas S-SAD individuals benefited from phototherapy, non-S-SAD normals did not. This finding raises the questions of whether a history of seasonal problems might be a marker of vulnerability to affective episodes and if S-SAD individuals might be considered as a high risk population in this regard.

Differential effects of acute and chronic administration of haloperidol on substance P and enkephalins in diverse rat brain areas.

Rats received 10 mg/kg/day of haloperidol during up to 9.5 weeks. Substance P, Leu- and Met-enkephalins, were studied in brain using immunohistochemical methods. Haloperidol modified the peptides immunoreactivity in most brain areas. The time necessary to observe the effects of haloperidol on the peptides varied individually, depending on the peptide and the brain area. Moreover, inversions of these effects were often observed, generally occurring between in 5th and 7th day of drug administration. Substance P was increased after haloperidol in the hypophysis, a finding hereto not described. This descriptive study identified none of these three peptides as a single and specific target for dopaminergic receptor blockade. Methodological issues in evaluating the effects of neuroleptics on brain peptides are discussed.

[The effect of the shape of aluminum oxide-ceramic implants on its staying power in the dog mandible]. / Der Einfluss der Form von Aluminiumoxid-Keramik-Implantaten auf die Verweildauer im Unterkiefer des Hundes.

Investigations were carried out on implants of Al2O3 ceramic as secondary single toothe replacement in the lower jaw of young Beagle test dogs. Two basically different forms with altogether 7 variations were tested: the first three types of implants had conical roots and a further 4 had cylindrical roots. Common to all 7 types was an implantation shoulder which was tested for its ability to conduct the masticatory force via the cortical substance to the mandibular bone. All implants are at least under indirect masticatory strain; type 80-40-027-00 was directly under strain: part of the implant, shaped like a premolar protrudes through the gum directly into the oral cavity. Preliminary results show that cylindrical root shapes stood the test well. Their length was of no great importance. Conical root shapes without special provision of retention are not suitable. Firm positioning of the implant during introduction is of prime importance. A cortically placed implantation shoulder is not suitable for the conduction of the masticatory pressure into the mandibular bone in dogs.

The association between Harris lines and enamel hypoplasia in prehistoric California Indians.

Hypoplastic defects of tooth enamel and Harris lines in the long bones have been heralded as potentially useful indicators of health conditions in prehistoric populations. Both result from temporary cessation of growth processes due to similar types of disease, malnutrition, or other metabolic insult. An association test for the first six years of life was conducted on a large series of prehistoric California Indians, using femora and canines from young adults. No significant association was found. This is ascribable to differences in etiology and stability.