Septal and Hippocampal Glutamate Receptors Modulate the Output of Acetylcholine in Hippocampus: A Microdialysis Study

Abstract: In the present study, glutamate receptor agonists and antagonists were administered by retrograde microdialysis into either the medial septum/vertical limb of the diagonal band (MS/vDB), or hippocampus, and the output of acetylcholine (ACh) was measured in the hippocampus by using intracerebral microdialysis. Perfusion with N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) and ( S )-α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) in the MS/vDB caused an increase in ACh output in the hippocampus. This increase was completely blocked by coadministration of their respective antagonists d (−)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid ( d -AP5) and 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX). Perfusion in the MS/vDB with kainic acid also caused an increase in ACh output, but coadministration of CNQX attenuated the increase only partially. Perfusion with d -AP5 or CNQX alone in the septal probe did not affect ACh output from the hippocampus. In contrast to the results of septal administration of NMDA and AMPA, local perfusion with the same drugs in the hippocampus caused a decrease in ACh output. Whereas the results of septal administration of drugs indicate that septal cholinergic neurons probably receive excitatory glutamatergic innervation, the decrease in ACh output caused by administration of NMDA and AMPA in the hippocampus is poorly understood.     

Synonymous codon usage pattern among the S,M, and L segments in Crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever virus

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus is one among the major zoonosis viral diseases that use the Hyalomma ticks as their transmission vector to cause viral infection to the human and mammalian community. The fatality of infectious is high across the world especially in Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Europe. This study regarding codon usage bias of S, M, and L segments of the CCHF virus pertaining to the host Homo sapiens, reveals in-depth information about the evolutionary characteristics of CCHFV. Relative Synonymous Codon Usage (RSCU), Effective number of codons (ENC) were calculated, to determine the codon usage pattern in each segment. Correlation analysis between Codon adaptation index (CAI), GRAVY (Hydrophobicity), AROMO (Aromaticity), and nucleotide composition revealed bias in the codon usage pattern. There was no strong codon bias found among any segments of the CCHF virus, indicating both the factors i.e., natural selection and mutational pressure shapes the codon usage bias.     

Phenotypic variability and therapeutic implications of Candida species in patients with oral lichen planus

We investigated the prevalence and phenotypic variation of Candida species in oral lichen planus (OLP) and the therapeutic implications of our findings. Eighty patients with clinically and histopathologically confirmed cases of OLP (64 non-erosive, 16 erosive) and a control group of 80 healthy individuals with no predisposing factors for oral candidiasis were examined for evidence of Candida infection. Oral swabs and smears were obtained for cytology and culture. Identification, speciation and antifungal susceptibility tests of Candida isolates were performed using an automated microbial identification system. Fifty percent of erosive OLP cases, 28% of non-erosive cases and none of the controls showed evidence of Candida. Candida albicans was found predominantly in non-erosive OLP, while other Candida species were predominate in erosive OLP. Non-Candida albicans isolates (C. glabrata, C. krusei) were resistant to the commonly used antifungals, clotrimazole and fluconazole. Candida infection is common in cases of OLP. We recommend antifungal sensitivity testing prior to antifungal therapy for the erosive form of OLP.     

Blood osmolality shift in juvenile red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus L. exposed to fresh water

Juvenile red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus , measuring 40–49 mm s.l. tolerated abrupt transfer from 28%osalinity sea water to fresh water (< l%o). A significant shift in blood osmolality from a level of about 350 mosmol l⁻¹ in sea water to a new level of about 311 mosmol l⁻¹ was experienced by fish after 48 h in fresh water. The shift was followed by a slight reduction in blood osmolality to a sustained level of 300 mosmol l⁻¹ after 96 h exposure to fresh water. The overall effect of increased environmental calcium on blood osmotic pressure of young red drum was not significant at the level tested.     

Plasma neurotensin release and gastric emptying in the dumping syndrome

Seventy-three patients were studied after ingesting a liquid glucose meal, tagged with ¹¹³Indium. Nineteen of these patients were awaiting surgery for their duodenal ulcer, while 54 were studied postoperatively, 25 of whom experienced troublesome postprandial (dumping) symptoms in their daily lives. The radioactive marker emptied significantly faster in the symptomatic patients than in the symptomfree, pre and post-operative groups (initial emptying rate 3.45 ± 0.23, compared with 1.16 ± 0.19 and 1.27 ± 0.15% fall in counts/min respectively; p < 0.01). Initial (20 min) rises in the plasma concentrations of neurotensin-like immunoreactivity measured during the test correlated significantly with the rate of gastric emptying in all patients, being greatest in patients with dumping symptoms. Physiological concentrations of neurotensin have been shown to delay gastric emptying. The excessive rise in plasma neurotensin-like immunoreactivity in patients with dumping symptoms, presumably occuring as a result of the rapid passage of nutrients to the neurotensin-rich ileum, may possibly have a compensatory role in slowing further emptying from the stomach.