Synergistic Properties of Arabinogalactan (AG) and Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Sodium Salt Mixtures.

The properties of mixtures of two polysaccharides, arabinogalactan (AG) and hyaluronic acid (HA), were investigated in solution by the measurement of diffusion coefficients D of water protons by DOSY (Diffusion Ordered SpectroscopY), by the determination of viscosity and by the investigation of the affinity of a small molecule molecular probe versus AG/HA mixtures in the presence of bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM) by 1HNMR spectroscopy. Enhanced mucoadhesive properties, decreased mobility of water and decreased viscosity were observed at the increase of AG/HA ratio and of total concentration of AG. This unusual combination of properties can lead to more effective and long-lasting hydration of certain tissues (inflamed skin, dry eye corneal surface, etc.) and can be useful in the preparation of new formulations of cosmetics and of drug release systems, with the advantage of reducing the viscosity of the solutions.

Phytochemistry and Antioxidant Activity of Aerial Parts of Phagnalon sordidum L.

One new natural monoterpene, 5-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-2-hydroxy-p-cymene (1: ), and 11 known compounds were isolated through a biologically oriented approach from the aerial parts of Phagnalon sordidum L. The most active extract and fractions were selected using 3 complementary antioxidant activity assays. Results and the different methods were compared by relative antioxidant capacity index. In addition, the most active extract of P. sordidum was subjected to liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization hybrid linear ion trap quadrupole Orbitrap mass spectrometry to quantify secondary metabolites. Antioxidant activities of ethyl acetate extract, and purified 3,4-dihydroxyacetophenone (3: ) and nebrodenside A (7: ) were demonstrated by in vitro cell free model assays, and their protective effect against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in a HepG2 (human hepatocellular carcinoma) cell line was established.

Solution Structure and Reactivity with Metallocenes of AlMe2 F: Mimicking Cation-Anion Interactions in Metallocenium-Methylalumoxane Inner-Sphere Ion Pairs.

The solution structure of AlMe2 F and its reactivity with a prototypical ansa-metallocene have been investigated by advanced NMR techniques, in an attempt to indirectly shed some light on the structure and working principles of methylalumoxane (MAO) mixtures in olefin polymerization. In solution, AlMe2 F gives rise to a complex equilibrium of oligomeric species, including a heterocubane [(Me2 Al)4 F4 ] tetramer, resembling the behavior of MAO. This complex mixture reacts with (ETH)ZrMe2 (ETH=rac-[ethylenebis(4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1-indenyl)]) to afford [(ETH)ZrMeδ+ (µ-F)(AlMe2 F)n AlMe3δ- ] inner-sphere ion pairs through successive insertions/deinsertions of AlMe2 F units into the Zr⋅⋅⋅(µ-F) bond.

Maladaptive perfectionism as mediator among psychological control, eating disorders, and exercise dependence symptoms in habitual exerciser.

Background and aims The current study examined the mediating role of maladaptive perfectionism among parental psychological control, eating disorder symptoms, and exercise dependence symptoms by gender in habitual exercisers. Methods Participants were 348 Italian exercisers (n = 178 men and n = 170 women; M age = 20.57, SD = 1.13) who completed self-report questionnaires assessing their parental psychological control, maladaptive perfectionism, eating disorder symptoms, and exercise dependence symptoms. Results Results of the present study confirmed the mediating role of maladaptive perfectionism for eating disorder and exercise dependence symptoms for the male and female exercisers in the maternal data. In the paternal data, maladaptive perfectionism mediated the relationships between paternal psychological control and eating disorder and exercise dependence symptoms as full mediator for female participants and as partial mediator for male participants. Discussion Findings of the present study suggest that it may be beneficial to consider dimensions of maladaptive perfectionism and parental psychological control when studying eating disorder and exercise dependence symptoms in habitual exerciser.

The role of age, gender, mood states and exercise frequency on exercise dependence.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of our study was to explore the prevalence, and the role of mood, exercise frequency, age, and gender differences of exercise dependence. METHODS: Regular exercisers (N = 409) completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Exercise Dependence Scale, and the Profile of Mood States. For data analyses, the participants were stratified for sex and age (age ranges = young adults: 18-24 years, adults: 25-44 years, and middle-aged adults: 45-64 years). RESULTS: We found that: (a) 4.4% of the participants were classified as at-risk for exercise dependence; (b) the men and the two younger groups (i.e., young adults and adults) had higher exercise dependence scores; and (c) age, gender, exercise frequency, and mood state were related to exercise dependence. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support previous research on the prevalence of exercise dependence and reveal that adulthood may be the critical age for developing exercise dependence. These findings have practical implication for identifying individuals at-risk for exercise dependence symptoms, and may aid in targeting and guiding the implementation of prevention program for adults.

Evaluation of buprenorphine dosage adequacy in opioid receptor agonist substitution therapy for heroin dependence: first use of the BUprenorphine-naloxone Dosage Adequacy eVAluation (BUDAVA) questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: The dosing of opioid receptor agonist medications adequately and on an individual basis is crucial in the pharmacotherapy of opioid dependence. Clinical tools that are able to measure dose appropriateness are sorely needed. The recently developed and validated Opiate Dosage Adequacy Scale (ODAS) comprehensively evaluates the main outcomes relevant for methadone dose optimization, namely relapse, cross-tolerance, objective and subjective withdrawal symptoms, craving and overdose. Based on the ODAS, we developed a new assessment tool (BUprenorphine-naloxone Dosage Adequacy eVAluation [BUDAVA]) for evaluating dosage adequacy in patients in treatment with buprenorphine-naloxone. OBJECTIVE: The main goal of this observational study was to explore whether the BUDAVA questionnaire could be used to assess buprenorphine-based, long-term substitution therapy for heroin addiction. METHODS: The study included heroin-dependent patients who had been in treatment with buprenorphine-naloxone for at least 3 months. Patients (n = 196) were recruited from 11 drug abuse treatment centres in Italy. Dosage adequacy was assessed with the BUDAVA questionnaire. Patients classified as inadequately treated had their dosage modified. After 1 week, they were again administered the questionnaire to assess the adequacy of the new dosage. RESULTS: The buprenorphine-naloxone dosage was found to be inadequate in 61 of the 196 patients. In 13 patients, the treatment scored as inadequate only in the subjective withdrawal symptoms item of the questionnaire and therefore no dosage adjustment was made in the 2 weeks that have characterized this work. The remaining 48 inadequately treated patients had their dosage modified (42 dose increases and six dose decreases). After 1 week on the modified dosage, in 24 of these patients the new regimen was found by the assessment with the questionnaire to be adequate. CONCLUSION: These preliminary results suggest that the BUDAVA questionnaire may be useful for guiding buprenorphine-naloxone maintenance dose adjustments in heroin-dependent patients.

Psychometric examination and factorial validity of the Exercise Dependence Scale-Revised in Italian exercisers.

Background and aims The purpose of this study was to verify the factorial structure, internal validity, reliability, and criterion validity of the 21-item Exercise Dependence Scale-Revised (EDS-R) in an Italian sample. Methods Italian voluntary (N = 519) users of gyms who had a history of regular exercise for over a year completed the EDS-R and measures of exercise frequency. Results and conclusions Confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated a good fit to the hypothesized 7-factor model, and adequate internal consistency for the scale was evidenced. Criterion validity was evidenced by significant correlations among all the subscale of the EDS and exercise frequency. Finally, individuals at risk for exercise dependence reported more exercise behavior compared to the nondependent-symptomatic and nondependent-asymptomatic groups. These results suggest that the seven subscales of the Italian version of the EDS are measuring the construct of exercise dependence as defined by the DSM-IV criteria for substance dependence and also confirm previous research using the EDS-R in other languages. More research is needed to examine the psychometric properties of the EDS-R in diverse populations with various research designs.

Interactions of volatile organic compounds with syndiotactic polystyrene crystalline nanocavities.

The interaction of some volatile organic compounds, namely, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,2-dibromoethane, and 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, included in the δ crystalline phase of syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) has been studied in terms of conformation, orientation, and dynamical behavior. By combination of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and solid-state (2)H NMR analyses, it has been shown that despite the differences in guest molecular properties (mass, boiling temperature, and volume), stable sPS/guest δ-clathrate cocrystals are formed since the nanoporous δ crystalline form has a flexible structure able to adapt itself to the guest molecule. As a consequence of inclusion, it has been shown that the guest diffusivity is strongly reduced and the dynamical processes are constrained, particularly when these guests are in trans conformation. This suggests the nanoporous sPS δ form to be an efficient tool for water and air purification through volatile organic compound absorption.

Datura stramonium intake: a report on three cases.

This article describes three cases of Datura stramonium intake on two nonconsecutive days. In the first case, the patient took a small amount of D. stramonium seeds without showing any symptoms of intoxication. The other two patients had taken a considerable amount of seeds and reported a sudden surge in strength and energy, with some aggressive compulsion towards their peers. They showed delirium as well as confusion and disorientation. The absence of any specific legislation makes D. stramonium a tempting alternative to other psychoactive substances. Thus, it is extremely important to be able to recognize its symptoms so as to be able to diagnose any signs of intoxication properly.

Role of periaqueductal grey prostaglandin receptors in formalin-induced hyperalgesia.

In this study we have investigated the role of periaqueductal grey prostaglandin receptors in formalin-induced hyperalgesia in mice. Glutamate and GABA release changes have been monitored by in vivo microdialysis. Intra-periaqueductal grey microinjections of misoprostol, a non-selective prostaglandin receptor agonist, increased nociceptive responses in the formalin test only during the late phase. Prostanoid EP(1) (L-335677), EP(2) (AH 6809), EP(3) (L-826266) and EP(4) (L-161982) receptor antagonists prevented the nociceptive response induced by misoprostol in formalin-injected mice. Prostanoid EP(1), EP(2), EP(3) and EP(4) antagonists reduced, per se, the late hyperalgesic phase. Intra-periaqueductal grey perfusion with misoprostol increased periaqueductal grey glutamate, whereas it produced an increase followed by a decrease in GABA. Likewise, formalin increased glutamate and produced a biphasic response on GABA. When misoprostol was perfused in combination with the peripheral injection of formalin, we observed an increase of glutamate and an increase followed by a stronger decrease in GABA release. These data show that periaqueductal grey prostaglandin receptor stimulation increased formalin-induced nociceptive response in the late phase by increasing glutamate release and by producing a biphasic change in GABA release.

Antinociceptive effect in mice of intraperitoneal N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists in the formalin test.

Although the antinociceptive effect of NMDA antagonists in the formalin test is well recognised, these compounds can induce adverse motor effects. The aim of this study was to identify the systemic doses of NMDA antagonists that induce analgesia without causing side effects. Male Swiss mice (30-40g) received a subcutaneous (sc) injection of 1.25% formalin (50 micro l) in the dorsal surface of the right hind-paw and, 15min before or after formalin, an ip injection of one of the following NMDA receptor antagonists: MK 801 (0.01, 0.025, and 0.05mg/kg), memantine (0.1, 0.5, and 1mg/kg), ketamine (0.125, 0.25, and 0.5mg/kg), dextromethorphan (5, 10, and 20mg/kg), and CGP 37849 (4, 6, and 8mg/kg). Pain-related behaviour (licking, lifting, favouring, shaking, and flinching of the treated paw) was recorded at 5-min intervals for 60min. The NMDA receptor antagonists significantly (p<0.01) and dose-dependently reduced, versus controls, nociceptive activity during the second phase of the formalin test (from the 20th to the 60thmin): at the highest doses, 97.6+/-0.1% with MK 801; 90.4+/-0.2% with memantine; 74.7+/-0.3% with ketamine; 92.8+/-0.4% with dextromethorphan; and 80.7+/-0.3% with CGP 37849, without affecting coordination. The rank order potency of antinociceptive activity of NMDA antagonists was: MK801>memantine>ketamine>dextromethorphan>CGP37849. The NMDA antagonists administered after formalin (during the analgesic interval) did not affect the late phase of the formalin test. In conclusion, systemic administration of NMDA receptor antagonists decreases the nociception observed during the late phase of the formalin test.

The antinociceptive effect of tramadol in the formalin test is mediated by the serotonergic component.

The aim of this study was to investigate the neurotransmissions involved in the antinociceptive effect of tramadol in the formalin test, which is an animal model of acute and tonic pain. A subcutaneous injection of formalin produces a biphasic nociceptive response: phase 1 (0-10 min-acute pain) and phase 2 (21-60 min-tonic pain). Nociceptive activity is reduced greatly during the 10 min between these two phases. We measured in mice the effects of (+/-)-tramadol, and of (+)- and (-)-tramadol administered before the induction of pain by formalin, in the presence and absence of drugs that act on the opioidergic, serotonergic and noradrenergic systems (naloxone, ketanserin, fluoxetine, maprotiline). With respect to animals treated with formalin alone, (+/-)-tramadol and its enantiomers significantly reduced the duration of nociceptive behaviours (lifting, licking, favouring, shaking, and flinching of the formalin-treated paw) during phase 2. This effect was prevented by the 5-HT(2) receptor antagonist ketanserin, but not by naloxone which, on the contrary, was able to prevent the antinociceptive effect of morphine. Naloxone and ketanserin did not affect the duration of nociceptive behaviour in animals not treated with tramadol. Fluoxetine (a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) reuptake inhibitor), but not maprotiline (a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor), potentiated the antinociceptive effect of (+/-)-tramadol. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the serotonergic pathway is responsible for the antinociceptive effect of tramadol in phase 2 of the formalin test, and that this effect is mediated by 5-HT(2) receptors.