Early neuromodulation prevents the development of brain and behavioral abnormalities in a rodent model of schizophrenia.

The notion that schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder in which neuropathologies evolve gradually over the developmental course indicates a potential therapeutic window during which pathophysiological processes may be modified to halt disease progression or reduce its severity. Here we used a neurodevelopmental maternal immune stimulation (MIS) rat model of schizophrenia to test whether early targeted modulatory intervention would affect schizophrenia's neurodevelopmental course. We applied deep brain stimulation (DBS) or sham stimulation to the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of adolescent MIS rats and respective controls, and investigated its behavioral, biochemical, brain-structural and -metabolic effects in adulthood. We found that mPFC-DBS successfully prevented the emergence of deficits in sensorimotor gating, attentional selectivity and executive function in adulthood, as well as the enlargement of lateral ventricle volumes and mal-development of dopaminergic and serotonergic transmission. These data suggest that the mPFC may be a valuable target for effective preventive treatments. This may have significant translational value, suggesting that targeting the mPFC before the onset of psychosis via less invasive neuromodulation approaches may be a viable preventive strategy.

Preclinical trial of a modified gastroscope that performs a true anterior fundoplication for the endoluminal treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic fundoplication provides good reflux control, but side-effects due to the surgical procedure are known. Different endoluminal techniques have been introduced, but all with disappointing results. OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the feasibility and safety of a new device, which enables a totally endoluminal anterior fundoplication for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). MATERIAL: The device is a modified video gastroscope, which incorporates a surgical stapler (using standard 4.8 B-shaped surgical staples) and an ultrasonic sight. The cartridge is mounted on the shaft and the anvil is at the tip. This enables accurate stapling of the fundus to the esophagus, using the ultrasonic sight to guide distance and alignment of the anvil and the cartridge. METHOD: Sixteen female swine of mixed breed were used in the study; 12 underwent the endoscopic procedure, and 4 were used a controls to monitor weight gain. The 12 study animals were sacrificed at 2, 4, and 8 weeks (4 pigs each time) and visually inspected for complications, healing, and fundoplication. The study was sponsored by MediGus Ltd. and monitored for compliance with good laboratory practice (GLP) regulations by an external company (Econ Inc.), which is GLP certified by the German Federal Government. It was conducted at the animal testing facility of the Charité Virchow Clinic in Berlin. RESULTS: The procedure went smoothly in all pigs; median procedure time was 12 min (range 9-35 min). At sacrifice, the stapled area had healed well, all animals had a satisfactory 180° anterolateral fundoplication, and there were no procedure-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: Creating a satisfactory anterior fundoplication with the new device is feasible, easy, and safe. Proof of efficacy must await clinical trials, which are underway.

[Rapid and direct lead determination in honey]. / Schnelle und direkte Bleibestimmung in Honig.

Use of honey as a biological indicator for heavy metal contamination entails the analysis of a greater number of samples. To date the complex sugar matrix required sample preparation using digestion methods, which were time consuming and involved a high risk of contamination or loss. It is now possible, using the method described here, to measure lead in honey without degradation with the help of microprocessor-programmed conditions of temperature and time in the ggraphite tube of the Atomic-Absorption-Spectrophotometer. Two samples were analysed. One had a low lead content (I), the other had a high lead content (II). The statistical variation for a series of determinations was 8.3% (I, N=10) and 5.6% (II, N=22). These results can be considered satisfactory.

Parathyroid hormone, ionised calcium, and potentially interacting variables in plasma of an Old World primate.

Bone turnover and calcium homeostasis in man can only be modelled validly in Old World nonhuman primates. In order to interpret the models it is necessary to establish endocrine and biochemical parameters of bone mineral metabolism. This report is probably the first description of acute phase parathyroid responses to manipulations of blood ionised calcium, and of reference values for potentially interacting variables, in vervet monkeys. Plasma parathyroid hormone concentrations were measured in vervets under defined conditions, and ranges reported as normal for other nonhuman primates and man are summarised.