Is the left forelimb preference indicative of a stressful situation in horses?

Evidence for behavioural and brain lateralisation is now widespread among the animal kingdom; lateralisation of limb use (pawedness) occurs in several mammals including both feral and domestic horses. We investigated limb preferences in 14 Quarter Horse during different motor tasks (walking, stepping on and off a step, truck loading and unloading). Population lateralisation was observed in two tasks: horses preferentially used their left forelimb during truck loading and stepping off a step. The results also revealed that horses showed higher scores for anxious behaviours during truck loading suggesting that the use of the left forelimb in this task may reflect the main role of the right hemisphere in control of behaviour during stressful situation.

Prevalence of eating disorders in adults with celiac disease.

Background. Symptoms of celiac disease negatively impact social activities and emotional state. Aim was to investigate the prevalence of altered eating behaviour in celiac patients. Methods. Celiac patients and controls completed a dietary interview and the Binge Eating Staircases, Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI-2), Eating Attitudes Test, Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, State Trait Anxiety Inventory Forma Y (STAI-Y1 and STAI-Y2), and Symptom Check List (SCL-90). Results. One hundred celiac adults and 100 controls were not statistically different for gender, age, and physical activity. STAI-Y1 and STAI-Y2, Somatization, Interpersonal, Sensitivity, and Anxiety scores of the SLC-90 were higher in CD patients than controls. EDI-2 was different in pulse thinness, social insecurity, perfectionism, inadequacy, ascetisms, and interpersonal diffidence between CD and HC women, whilst only in interceptive awareness between CD and HC men. A higher EAT-26 score was associated with the CD group dependently with gastrointestinal symptoms. The EAT26 demonstrated association between indices of diet-related disorders in both CD and the feminine gender after controlling for anxiety and depression. Conclusion. CD itself and not gastrointestinal related symptoms or psychological factors may contribute pathological eating behavior in celiac adults. Eating disorders appear to be more frequent in young celiac women than in CD men and in HC.

Effects of the environment on dog semen parameters and testosterone concentration.

Whether a mammal reproduces seasonally or continuously depends mostly on the environment and its effects on the endocrine pattern. Although the dog was the first species to have been domesticated, little information is available on the changes in reproduction that have occurred since. In this study, we evaluated whether environmental stimuli can act as modulators of male gonadal activity in the dog at the latitude of Bari (Italy). Therefore, for 1 year, serum and seminal testosterone (T) concentrations, together with seminal parameters, were recorded monthly and evaluated in relation to environmental variables such as temperature, humidity, and photoperiod. We found that, in temperate regions, the annual serum T profile is not affected by environmental conditions, whereas seminal T profile peaks in October and reaches its nadir in April. The percentage of progressive motile spermatozoa is also dependent on environmental cues. The results support the intuitive idea that recorded data require a proper analysis to be meaningful. In fact, we found that, in the dog, environmental changes appear to affect male gonadal physiology, and this is clear when recorded data are analyzed monthly; in contrast, pooling data into seasonal groups hides monthly environmental variations.

Cortisol levels in hair reflect behavioural reactivity of dogs to acoustic stimuli.

Cortisol levels in hair samples were examined in fourteen domestic dogs and related to the dogs' responses to different acoustic stimuli. Stimuli were playbacks of species-typical vocalizations recorded during three different situations ("disturbance", "isolation" and "play" barks) and the sounds of a thunderstorm. Hair samples were collected at 9:00 h and 17:00 h two weeks after the behavioural tests. Results showed that behavioural reactivity to playback of the various stimuli correlates with cortisol levels in hair samples collected at 9:00 h, and the same was the case for the separate measures of behaviour (i.e. hiding, running away, seeking attention from the tester, panting and lowering of the body posture). Hence, levels of cortisol in hair appear to reflect the dog's chronic state of emotional reactivity, or temperament.

The quality of sleep in patients with coeliac disease.

BACKGROUND: Coeliac disease is a chronic disease with a various clinical presentation, including anxiety and depression. AIM: To investigate the quality of sleep in coeliac disease. METHODS: The participants were coeliacs at diagnosis; coeliacs on a gluten-free diet at follow-up and healthy volunteers. Participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), SF36, Zung and Fatigue scales and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). RESULTS: The PSQI score was higher in coeliacs at diagnosis and in a gluten-free diet than in healthy volunteers (P < 0.001). A gluten-free diet did not improve the PSQI score (P = 0.245) in coeliac disease. The other test scores were similar between coeliacs at diagnosis and those on a gluten-free diet, whereas significant differences were found between coeliacs and volunteers. PSQI score was inversely associated with the quality of the physical (r = -0.327, P = 0.002) and mental (r = -0.455, P < 0.001) component scores. The sleep quality scores were related to depression (r = 0.633, P < 0.001), fatigue (r = 0.377, P < 0.001), state anxiety (r = 0.484, P < 0.001) and trait anxiety (r = 0.467, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Sleep disorders are common in coeliac disease not only at diagnosis but also during treatment with a gluten-free diet. Sleep disorders are related to depression, anxiety and fatigue, and inversely related to quality of life scale scores.

L-Carnitine in the treatment of fatigue in adult celiac disease patients: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Fatigue is common in celiac disease. L-Carnitine blood levels are low in untreated celiac disease. L-Carnitine therapy was shown to improve muscular fatigue in several diseases. AIM: To evaluate the effect of L-carnitine treatment in fatigue in adult celiac patients. METHODS: Randomised double-blind versus placebo parallel study. Thirty celiac disease patients received 2 g daily, 180 days (L-carnitine group) and 30 were assigned to the placebo group (P group). The patients underwent clinical investigation and questionnaires (Scott-Huskisson Visual Analogue Scale for Asthenia, Verbal Scale for Asthenia, Zung Depression Scale, SF-36 Health Status Survey, EuroQoL). OCTN2 levels, the specific carnitine transporter, were detected in intestinal tissue. RESULTS: Fatigue measured by Scott-Huskisson Visual Analogue Scale for Asthenia was significantly reduced in the L-carnitine group compared with the placebo group (p=0.0021). OCTN2 was decreased in celiac patients when compared to normal subjects (-134.67% in jejunum), and increased after diet in both celiac disease treatments. The other scales used did not show any significant difference between the two celiac disease treatment groups. CONCLUSION: L-Carnitine therapy is safe and effective in ameliorating fatigue in celiac disease. Since L-carnitine is involved in muscle energy production its decreased absorption due to OCTN2 reduction might explain muscular symptoms in celiac disease patients. The diet-induced OCTN2 increase, improving carnitine absorption, might explain the L-carnitine treatment efficacy.

Effect of moderate red wine intake on cardiac prognosis after recent acute myocardial infarction of subjects with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress and increased inflammation have been reported to be increased in subjects with diabetes and to be involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular complications after myocardial infarction (MI). It is well recognized that red wine has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. We examined the effects of moderate red wine intake on echocardiographic parameters of functional cardiac outcome in addition to inflammatory cytokines and nitrotyrosine (oxidative stress marker), in subjects with diabetes after a first uncomplicated MI. METHODS: One hundred and fifteen subjects with diabetes who had sustained a first non-fatal MI were randomized to receive a moderate daily amount of red wine (intervention group) or not (control group). Echocardiographic parameters of ventricular dys-synchrony, circulating levels of nitrotyrosine, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-18 (IL-18) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were investigated at baseline and 12 months after randomization. RESULTS: After 1 year of diet intervention, concentrations of nitrotyrosine (P < 0.01), CRP (P < 0.01), TNF-alpha (P < 0.01), IL-6 (P < 0.01) and IL-18 (P < 0.01) were increased in the control group compared with the intervention group. In addition, myocardial performance index (P < 0.02) was higher, and transmitral Doppler flow (P < 0.05), pulmonary venous flow analysis (P < 0.02) and ejection fraction (P < 0.05) were lower in the control group, indicating ventricular dys-synchrony. The concentrations of nitrotyrosine, CRP, TNF-alpha and IL-6 were related to echocardiographic parameters of ventricular dys-synchrony. CONCLUSIONS: In subjects with diabetes, red wine consumption, taken with meals, significantly reduces oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as improving cardiac function after MI. Moderate red wine intake with meals may have a beneficial effect in the prevention of cardiovascular complications after MI in subjects with diabetes.

Lateralised behaviour and immune response in dogs: relations between paw preference and interferon-gamma, interleukin-10 and IgG antibodies production.

The production of specific antibodies (IgG), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) was evaluated in dogs in relation to behavioural lateralisation as assessed by paw preference. Left-handed, right-handed and ambidextrous dogs of mixed breed were selected on the basis of their performance in a task consisting of the removal of a piece of adhesive paper from the snout. All dogs were immunised with rabies vaccine. IgG anti-rabies antibody response was evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) test. Serum IFN-gamma and IL-10 levels were measured by ELISA in animals showing significant individual left-, right- or no-paw preferences in the behavioural test. The results showed that the direction of behavioural lateralisation influenced the immune response in dogs. The titers of anti-rabies antibodies were lower in left-pawed dogs than in right-pawed and ambidextrous dogs. Similarly, the IFN-gamma serum levels were lower in left-pawed dogs than in right-pawed and ambidextrous dogs. IL-10, on the contrary, seemed to be an immune parameter, which was not affected by lateralisation. These findings suggest that immunomodulation can be correlated with brain laterality in canine species by the regulation of the production of antibodies and some cytokines like IFN-gamma, which are molecules involved in the immune-neurohumoral crosstalk.

Fatigue in adult coeliac disease.

BACKGROUND: Fatigue is reported by many adults at the moment of diagnosis of coeliac disease and during follow-up. AIM: To evaluate the prevalence, characteristics and associations of fatigue in adult coeliac disease patients. METHODS: The investigated sample comprised adults from Campania, Italy. A total of 130 coeliac disease patients were consecutively recruited in both treated (59 on gluten-free diet) and untreated conditions (71 on normal diet). The control group was made up of 80 healthy controls. Coeliac disease patients and healthy controls underwent laboratory tests, a set of questionnaires for studying fatigue: visual analogue scale for fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome questionnaire, fatigue severity scale and a modified version of the Zung self-rating depression scale. RESULTS: Coeliac disease patients showed a significantly lower body mass index than controls (P = 0.0001), lower serum iron (P = 0.04). The entire cohort of coeliac disease patients reported greater modified version of the Zung self-rating depression scale score (P = 0.001), greater visual analogue scale for fatigue score (P = 0.0001) and greater chronic fatigue syndrome questionnaire score (P = 0.0001) compared with healthy controls. Coeliac disease patients on a gluten-free diet had a significantly higher modified version of the Zung self-rating depression scale score than coeliacs on a normal diet (P = 0.001). The prevalence of pathological modified version of the Zung self-rating depression scale score was 17% in all coeliac disease patients and 0% in healthy controls. A significant correlation was found between modified version of the Zung self-rating depression scale score and fatigue scale scores in coeliacs on a normal diet. Presence/absence of gastrointestinal symptoms did not show any significant correlation with modified version of the Zung self-rating depression scale score and fatigue scale scores. In coeliacs on a gluten-free diet, modified version of the Zung self-rating depression scale and fatigue scales scores did not significantly differ from coeliacs on a normal diet and were not related to dietetic compliance. CONCLUSION: In coeliacs, fatigue is a common finding, which ameliorates with the gluten-free diet and is strictly correlated to depression although coeliacs on a gluten-free diet showed more frequent and more severe depression symptoms than coeliacs on a normal diet.

Grown-up coeliac children: the effects of only a few years on a gluten-free diet in childhood.

AIM: To evaluate clinical and psychological status of adults with childhood diagnosis of coeliac disease who were re-exposed to gluten after only a few years and now on a gluten-containing diet, compared with adults with recent diagnosis of coeliac disease, and adults who remained on gluten-free diet after childhood diagnosis. METHODS: A total of 195 adults with a biopsy suggestive of coeliac disease in childhood, who either had adhered to a gluten-free diet for at least 1 year after diagnosis and now are either on gluten-free diet (n = 110) or on gluten-containing diet (n = 85), and adults with newly diagnosed coeliac disease (n = 165) underwent a medical check-up. RESULTS: Body mass index and main laboratory indices were statistically different among groups (lowest in never on gluten-free diet, highest in gluten-free diet). The lowest average levels of bone mineral density were found among never on gluten-free diet patients. Prevalence of autoimmune disorders was increased in never on gluten-free diet when compared with the transient gluten-free diet and gluten-free diet groups. Histology revealed villous subatrophy in all patients of never on gluten-free diet group, in 39 of 110 patients of gluten-free diet and in 84 of 85 of transient gluten-free diet groups. Herpetiform dermatitis was found in three patients of gluten-free diet, three of transient gluten-free diet and three of never on gluten-free diet. Dental enamel defects were found in 15 patients of transient gluten-free diet, 43 of never on gluten-free diet and in zero of the gluten-free diet group. Pregnancy outcome was not significantly different between the two groups, but neonatal weight was lower and breast feeding was shorter in the never on gluten-free diet group. Sexual habits, alcohol intake and cigarette smoking were significantly different in the never on gluten-free diet group when compared with the other two groups. CONCLUSION: Gluten withdrawal in childhood partly protects coeliac adults from clinical and behavioural effects of gluten sensitivity.

Paw preference in dogs: relations between lateralised behaviour and immunity.

Paw use in a task consisting of the removal of a piece of adhesive paper from the snout was investigated in 80 mongrel and pure-bred domestic dogs (Canis familiaris). Population lateralisation was observed, but in opposite directions in the two sexes (animals were not desexed): males preferentially used their left paw, females their right paw. The relationship between immune function and paw preference was then investigated. Some immune parameters (total number of white blood cells including lymphocytes, granulocytes and monocytes; leukocyte formula; total proteins; gamma-globulins) were investigated in a sample of left-pawed (n = 6), right-pawed (n = 6) and ambidextrous (n = 6) dogs. The results showed that the percentage of lymphocytes was higher in left-pawed than in right-pawed and ambidextrous dogs, whereas granulocytes percentage was lower in left-pawed than in right-pawed and ambidextrous dogs. Moreover, total number of lymphocytes cells was higher in left-pawed than in right-pawed and ambidextrous dogs, whereas the number of gamma-globulins was lower in left-pawed than in right-pawed and ambidextrous dogs. These findings represent the first evidence that brain asymmetry modulates immune responses in dogs.

Erectile and endothelial dysfunction in Type II diabetes: a possible link.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between erectile dysfunction and endothelial functions, coagulation activation, peripheral and autonomic neuropathy in men with Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. METHODS: We studied 30 Type II diabetic patients with symptomatic erectile dysfunction and 30 potent diabetic patients matched for age and disease. Endothelial functions were assessed with the L-arginine test, plasma thrombomodulin and cell adhesion molecules circulating concentrations. Haemostasis was evaluated with markers of thrombin activation and fibrinolysis. Quantitative sensory testing (vibratory, warming, and heat-pain thresholds), cardiovascular reflex tests and 24-h blood pressure monitoring were used to assess peripheral or autonomic neuropathy. RESULTS: Mean erectile score and HbA1c were 10.5+/-5.8 and 8.3+/-1.6% in patients with erectile dysfunction, and 24.0+/-0.7 and 6.8+/-1.4% in those without erectile dysfunction, respectively (p < 0.001); there was a significant relation between HbA1c and erectile function score in patients with erectile dysfunction (r = -0.45, p = 0.02). The decrease in blood pressure and platelet aggregation in response to L-arginine was lower (p < 0.05-0.02) in patients with erectile dysfunction, whereas soluble thrombomodulin, P-selectin and intercellular cell ahhesion molecule-1 concentrations were higher (p < 0.05-0.02). Indices of coagulation activation (F1 + 2 and D-dimers) and reduced fibrinolysis (PAI-1) were also found to be higher in erectile dysfunction patients. Heat-pain and warm perception thresholds. as well as cardiovascular reflex tests, were most commonly abnormal in patients with erectile dysfunction (p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, HbA1c, MBP response to L-arginine, P-selectin, indices of coagulation, and quantitative sensory testing were independent predictors of erectile function score. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: Erectile dysfunction in diabetic men correlates with endothelial dysfunction. A reduced nitric oxide activity might provide a unifying explanation.

Effects of surgical menopause and estrogen replacement therapy on atrio-ventricular conduction and ventricular repolarization.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of surgical menopause and estrogen replacement therapy on atrio-ventricular conduction and ventricular repolarization in women. METHODS: In a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial 50 women underwent hystero-salpingo-oophorectomy. Twenty-five women were treated with 50 microg/die of transdermal estradiol and the other 25 were treated with placebo patches. The duration of the treatment was 12 cycles. Before surgery and after 12 cycles of treatment, a standard electrocardiogram was performed to evaluate atrio-ventricular conduction time and cardiac repolarization time. RESULTS: No significant variations in atrio-ventricuar conduction time and cardiac repolarization time were detected between the two groups at entry, nor was there any difference in both groups after 12 cycles of treatment with transdermal estradiol. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical menopause and estrogen replacement therapy do not modify atrio-ventricular conduction and ventricular repolarization in women.

Elevated plasma fatty acid concentrations prolong cardiac repolarization in healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND: High fatty acid concentrations have been shown to stimulate sympathetic nervous system activity, which may modify ventricular repolarization and thus the Q-T interval on electrocardiogram recordings. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether acute elevations of plasma fatty acid concentrations influence the corrected Q-T interval (Q-Tc), Q-Tc dispersion, and sympathetic nervous system activity in healthy nonobese subjects. DESIGN: Thirty-two healthy subjects (x +/- SD: 48+/-7 y of age) received an infusion of 10% triacylglycerol emulsion plus heparin (a bolus of 200 U followed by 0.2 U min(-1) * kg body wt(-1) for 180 min); on another occasion and in random order, the same subjects received a saline infusion. RESULTS: Compared with the saline infusion, infusion of 10% triacylglycerol emulsion increased plasma fatty acids (P<0.001) and was associated with an increase in mean blood pressure (P<0.05), heart rate (P<0.05), Q-Tc (P<0.01), Q-Tc dispersion (P<0.01), and plasma epinephrine (P<0.005). Furthermore, individual changes in plasma epinephrine correlated with changes in Q-Tc (r = 0.60, P<0.001) and Q-Tc dispersion (r = 0.53, P< 0.02) even after adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index (P<0.03 for all correlations). Only changes in plasma fatty acids (P = 0.04) and plasma epinephrine (P = 0.006) concentrations were significantly and independently associated with the lengthening of the Q-T interval. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that elevated plasma fatty acid concentrations might affect cardiac repolarization, at least in part because of an increase in plasma catecholamines.

The effect of acute hyperglycaemia on QTc duration in healthy man.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Prolongation of heart rate-adjusted QT (QTc) is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease and sudden death. The objective of this study was to investigate whether acute increases of plasma glucose concentrations in healthy subjects could influence QTc and QTc dispersion. METHODS: Plasma glucose concentrations were quickly raised to 15 mmol/l in 20 healthy subjects (10 men/10 women) and maintained for 2 h. On another occasion, and in random order, all subjects underwent the same hyperglycaemic clamp as above and an infusion of the somatostatin analogue octreotide (25 microg as iv bolus followed by a 0.5 g/min infusion) to block the release of endogenous insulin. RESULTS: Systolic and diastolic blood pressures, heart rate and plasma catecholamine concentrations showed significant increases (p < 0.05) starting after 60 min of hyperglycaemia. QTc, QTc dispersion and PR interval also showed significant increments at 120 min of the hyperglycaemic clamp. The infusion of octreotide did not influence QTc duration, QTc dispersion, PR interval and the haemodynamic effects of acute hyperglycaemia. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: The results show that acute hyperglycaemia produces significant increments of QTc and QTc dispersion in normal subjects. In this context, endogenously released insulin during acute hyperglycaemia seems to play a minor part.

[A case of peritoneal histoplasmosis]. / A propósito de un caso de Histoplasmosis peritoneal.

The clinical history of 24 year old patient diagnosed as having peritoneal histoplasmosis is presented. This has been described as an infrequent clinical entity. In our patient, the only apparent clinical manifestation is the presence of an enlarged abdomen due to free ascites. Hepatic and peritoneal granulomas are found. The case is discussed and diagnostic difficulties and the prognosis analyzed. The prognosis depends on the condition of the patient and the speed with which treatment (Ketoconazole) is begun. Bibliography is revised.