Differential effects of osmotic and SSR149415 challenges in maternally separated and control rats: the role of vasopressin on spatial learning.

Maternal separation (MS) has been demonstrated to up-regulate the hypothalamic vasopressin (VP) system. Intracerebrally released VP has been demonstrated to affect several types of animal behaviour, such as active/passive avoidance, social recognition, and learning and memory. However, the role of VP in spatial learning remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of an osmotic challenge and a V1b receptor-specific (V1bR) antagonist, SSR149415, on spatial learning of maternally separated and animal facility reared (AFR) adult male Wistar rats. The osmotic challenge was applied by injecting a hypertonic saline solution, 1h before the Morris water maze test (MWM). V1bR antagonist SSR149415 (5mg/kg) was injected i.p. twice (1h and 30 min) previous to the MWM. A combined treatment with both osmotic challenge and the SSR149415 was applied to the third group whereas rats for basal condition were injected with isotonic saline. Under basal condition no differences between AFR and MS groups were observed. MS rats showed severe impairment during the MWM after the osmotic challenge, but not after the administration of SSR149415. For AFR rats, the opposite phenomenon was observed. The joint application of SSR149415 and osmotic challenge restored the spatial learning ability for both groups. The differential impairment produced by osmotic stress-induced up-regulation and SSR149415 induced V1bR blockage in MS and control rats suggested that VP involvement in spatial learning depends on the individual intrinsic ligand-receptor functional state.

[Out-of- pocket expenditures during hospitalization of young leukemia patients with state medical insurance in two Mexican hospitals]. / Gasto de hogares durante la hospitalización de menores derechohabientes, con diagnóstico de leucemia, en dos hospitales en México.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate out-of-pocket expenditures for health care during the first hospitalization of children treated for leukemia in two hospitals of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social-IMSS-). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Mexico City and Leon, Guanajato, Mexico in 1997. The study population consisted of the parents of 51 children under 15 years of age diagnosed with leukemia, who were hospitalized for the first time in two IMSS hospitals. A questionnaire was applied to participants to obtain direct and indirect expenditures during that period. Consumer price indexes (1997-2002) were used to estimate expenditure prices for 2002. Average expenditures and catastrophic expenditures were estimated. Factors associated with expenditures were analyzed using a linear regression model in which the dependent variable was the total household expenditures during hospitalization. RESULTS: The average household cost per hospitalization was 7,318 pesos, 86% of which corresponded to medical care and 14% to indirect costs. Catastrophic expenditures occurred in 14% of households. In 47% of household expenditures exceeded 100% of the total household income during the hospitalization period. Expenditures during hospitalization were associated with place of residence, income level, and type of medical insurance. CONCLUSIONS: Being an IMSS policyholder decreased out-of-pocket expenditures, but not complementary expenditures, which may still be unaffordable for a large segment of the population. For more than a half of the households studied, continuity of care was compromised, as expenditures during the first hospitalization entailed using up savings, going into debt, and/or selling household property.

Gasto de hogares durante la hospitalización de menores derechohabientes, con diagnóstico de leucemia, en dos hospitales en México / Out-of-pocket expenditures during hospitalization of young leukemia patients with state medical insurance in two Mexican hospitals

OBJETIVO: Estimar el gasto de los hogares durante la primera hospitalización en 51 menores de 15 años de edad con leucemia, atendidos en dos hospitales del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, en México durante 1997. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal hecho en 1997 en el Distrito Federal y en León, Guanajuato. Se aplicó un cuestionario a los padres de 51 menores de 15 años de edad con diagnóstico de leucemia, hospitalizados por primera vez, en dos unidades del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. Se capturó la información de los costos directos e indirectos enfrentados por los hogares durante esa primera hospitalización. Se aplicó el Indice de Precios al Consumidor (1997-2002) para expresar las estimaciones en precios de 2002. Se estimaron indicadores de gasto promedio y gastos catastróficos. Se establecieron los factores asociados, mediante un modelo de regresión lineal, utilizando el gasto total durante la hospitalización como variable dependiente. RESULTADOS: El costo promedio por paciente hospitalizado es de 7 318 pesos. El 86 por ciento corresponde a gastos asociados con la atención y 14 por ciento a costos indirectos. Para 14 por ciento de los hogares este gasto fue catastrófico. En 47 por ciento de los casos la erogación rebasó 100 por ciento de su ingreso disponible durante el periodo. Estos gastos se asociaron con lugar de residencia, nivel de ingreso y tipo de seguro. CONCLUSIONES: Ser derechohabiente de la seguridad social reduce los gastos de bolsillo por atención directa de los pacientes, pero no reduce los gastos complementarios, que pueden resultar onerosos para una elevada proporción de hogares. El costo de la primera hospitalización significó, en más de la mitad de los casos estudiados, el consumo de los ahorros, el endeudamiento o la venta de propiedades de los hogares, y dificultó la continuidad del tratamiento

Mathematical analysis of a pharmacodynamic model without plasma concentrations to extend its applicability.

Using a mathematical approach, we analyzed the behavior of the PD model originally described by Bragg et al. The effect was dose-dependent modified until a maximum value (E(max)) was reached. Further increments in dose prolonged the E(max), but the recovery phase did not increase beyond a calculable asymptope. In the absence of plasma concentrations, it was impossible to distinguish the rate of plasma equilibration with the effect compartment (k(e0)) from the rate of drug elimination (k(e1)). Variations on the sigmoidicity affected both the onset and offset of drug effect. Sigmoidicity and the slowest rate constant had identical effects on the spontaneous reversion of the effect, as judged by the recovery index. The IR(50), the index of potency, merely shifted the dose-response relationship to the left or right. Changes in IR(50) were compensated for by making the same proportional changes in dose.

Common vampire bat attacks on humans in a village of the Amazon region of Brazil

Agressöes de morcegos a pessoas vêm sendo notificados em várias comunidades amazônicas nesta última década. Isto constitui um risco potencial para a raiva humana transmitida por morcegos. O objetivo foi de analisar fatores associados a estas agressöes em uma destas comunidades. Foi realizado um estudo transversal em um povoado de garimpeiros na Regiäo Amazônica brasileira (160 habitantes). Foi realizada a captura de morcegos junto às casas e foram enviadas amostras para o laboratório. Das 129 pessoas entrevistadas, 41 por cento foram agredidas por morcegos pelo menos uma vez, com 92 por cento das mordidas localizadas nos dedos dos pés. Por meio de regressäo logística, encontrou-se que adultos eram agredidos ao redor de quatro vezes mais do que crianças (OR = 3,75, IC: 1,46-9,62, p = 0,036). Honens foram agredidos com maior freqüência do que mulheres (OR = 2,08, IC:0,90-4,76, p = 0,067). Nove Desdomus rotundus e três morcegos frugívoros foram capturados e resultaram negativos para a raiva. Sugere que, em áreas de garimpo, adultos do sexo masculino têm maior probabilidade de serem agredidos por morcegos. As açöes de controle para a raiva humana a serem desenvolvidas nestes lugares devem dar ênfase especial a adultos homens. Recomendam-se mais investigaçöes sobre o modo como o garimpo na Regiäo Amazônica está colocando em risco as pessoas e o ambiente.