Role of nucleus accumbens core but not shell in incubation of methamphetamine craving after voluntary abstinence

We recently introduced an animal model to study incubation of drug craving after prolonged voluntary abstinence, mimicking the human condition of relapse after successful contingency management treatment. Here we studied the role of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in this model. We trained rats to self-administer a palatable solution (sucrose+maltodextrin 1%, 6 h/day, 6 days) and methamphetamine (6 h/day, 12 days). We then evaluated relapse to methamphetamine seeking after 1 and 15 days of voluntary abstinence, achieved via a discrete choice procedure between the palatable solution and methamphetamine (14 days). We used RNAscope in-situ hybridization to quantify the co-labeling of the neuronal activity marker Fos, and dopamine Drd1- and Drd2-expressing medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in NAc core and shell during the incubation tests. Next, we determined the effect of pharmacological inactivation of NAc core and shell by either GABAA and GABAB agonists (muscimol+baclofen, 50+50 ng/side), Drd1-Drd2 antagonist (flupenthixol, 10 µg/side) or the selective Drd1 or Drd2 antagonists (SCH39166 1.0 µg/side or raclopride 1.0 µg/side) during the relapse tests. Incubated methamphetamine seeking after voluntary abstinence was associated with a selective increase of Fos expression in the NAc core, but not shell, and Fos was co-labeled with both Drd1- and Drd2-MSNs. NAc core, but not shell, injections of muscimol+baclofen, flupenthixol, SCH39166, and raclopride reduced methamphetamine seeking after 15 days of abstinence. Together, our results suggest that dopamine transmission through Drd1 and Drd2 in NAc core is critical to the incubation of methamphetamine craving after voluntary abstinence

Corporate reputation in the spanish context: An interaction between reporting to stakeholders and industry.

ABSTRACT: The authors describe the intensity and orientation of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting in four Spanish industries and explore the relationship that exists between both concepts and an independent measurement of reputation for CSR (CSRR). The results demonstrate that the CSR reporting is especially relevant and useful in the finance industry. Finance companies report significantly more CSR information than most industries in Spain, and this reporting is more closely linked to their CSRR than the CSR reporting of basic, consumer goods and services industries. Borra

TROPHOBLAST-INDUCED SPIRAL ARTERY REMODELLING AND UTEROPLACENTAL HAEMODYNAMICS IN PREGNANT RATS WITH INCREASED BLOOD PRESSURE INDUCED BY HEME OXYGENASE INHIBITION.

ABSTRACT Introduction The aim of the present study was to determine the contribution of the heme oxygenase (HO) system to the adaptation of the uteroplacental circulation to pregnancy in the rat, and its relationship with the maintenance of blood pressure during late gestation. Methods The HO inhibitor, stannous mesoporphyrin (SnMP), or vehicle were administered intraperitoneally to virgin and midpregnant rats. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was measured before and after the treatment, in the conscious rats. Uterine and radial arteries blood flow velocities were obtained from pregnant rats at days 14 and 19 of gestation using high frequency ultrasonography. Trophoblast invasion and spiral arteries remodelling were analyzed in the mesometrial triangle of pregnant rats by inmunohistochemistry. Results HO activity inhibition during late gestation induced a significantly increase in the MAP of pregnant rats (114±1 mmHg vs 100±2 mmHg, p<0.05) but it did not affect this parameter in virgin rats (121±2 mmHg vs 124±3 mmHg). MAP elevation was associated with marked (p<0.05) decreases in the systolic and diastolic flow velocities in uterine and radial arteries, as compared with pregnant control rats. Furthermore, spiral arteries of pregnant rats treated with SnMP showed lower (p<0.001) proportion of lumen circumference covered by trophoblast (21±3%) and a higher (p<0.05) proportion of vascular smooth muscle (33±5%) than control pregnant rats (59±5% and 16±5%, respectively) Discussion These data indicate that HO system play an important role in the adaptation of the uteroplacental circulation to pregnancy and in the blood pressure regulation during late gestation