Tactile Learning Within the Early Phase of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in Mice

The purpose of this study was to assess tactile learning in the early phase of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), which was induced in C57BL/6 mice by subcutaneous injections on flank of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, MOG35-55 (250 µg per mouse). Tactile learning was assessed one week after EAE induction using the novel object recognition test (NORT) in a dark room. The procedure consisted of two phases. During the training phase (T1), the animals explored two similar objects; within the test phase (T2, occurring 4 h later) the mice explored one novel and one familiar object. On average, mice developed significant behavioral disabilities related to EAE 13.2 ± 1.9 days following immunization. In the EAE group, the locomotor activity level (assessed by measuring the distance travelled) in the T1 and T2 phases did not differ significantly, as compared to the related phases in the control group (P > 0.05). Within phase T1, no reliable differences were found for the frequency (number) of visits to the sample objects and for total exploration time between experimental groups. For phase T2, no difference was also found in the discrimination ratio when comparing the control group with the EAE group. Our study demonstrates that tactile learning in male mice may not be affected 7 days after immunization with MOG35-55 (i.e., within the early EAE phase).Розвиток експериментального аутоімунного енцефаломієліту (ЕАЕ) викликали у мишей за допомогою ін’єкцій мієлінового олігодендроцитарного глікопротеїну (MOG35- 55, 250 мкг на мишу). Здатність до тактильного навчання оцінювали через один тиждень після індукції ЕАЕ, використовуючи тест впізнавання нового об’єкта (NORT) у темному приміщенні. Процедура тестування складалася з двох фаз; протягом першої з них (T1) тварини обстежували два однакових об’єкта, а в перебігу другої фази (T2) миші обстежували один новий і один раніше обстежений об’єкти. Істотні поведінкові розлади, зумовлені ЕАЕ, розвивались у мишей в середньому через 13.2 ± 1.9 доби після імунізації. У групі ЕAЕ рівень локомоторної активності (оцінюваний за відстанню, котру тварини проходили в період обстеження) в межах фаз T1 та T2 не відрізнявся істотно від такого в контрольній групі (P > 0.05). У фазі T1 не спостерігалося істотних міжгрупових різниць частоти (кількості) відвідань тест-об’єктів та загального часу, який було витрачено на ознайомлення з ними. У межах фази T2 не виявлялося також достовірних різниць величин коефіцієнта дискримінації в контрольній та ЕAЕ-групах. Отже, наші тести показали, що, видимо, тактильне навчання мишей-самцівне піддається істотним змінам через сім діб після імунізації MOG35-55 (тобто в межах ранньої фази ЕAЕ)

Comparing the long-term retention of a physiology course for medical students with the traditional and problem-based learning

The rapid improvements in medical sciences and the ever-increasing related data, however, require novel methods of instruction. One such method, which has been given less than due attention in Iran, is problem-based learning (PBL). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of study skills and the PBL methods on short and long-term retention of information provided for medical students in the course of respiratory physiology and compare it with traditional learning method. In this study, 39 medical students from Medical School of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (2006–2010) were enrolled in the study and allocated randomly in three equal groups (13 in each group). All groups underwent a pre-test to be assessed for their basic information regarding respiratory physiology. Two groups were instructed using the traditional method, and one group used PBL. Among the two groups of the traditional method, one was instructed about study skills and the other was not. Once the PBL group took the study skill workshop, they were aided by tutors for their education. In the final term test, those students who had learned study skills and were instructed with the traditional method scored higher compared to other groups (p\0.05). However, in the 1 year (p\0.05) and 4 year (p\0.01) interval examinations, the PBL group achieved significantly higher scores. Despite the fact that PBL had no positive effect on the final term exam of our students, it yielded a more profound and retained understanding of the subject course. Moreover, considering the positive effect of study skills on long-term student scores, we recommend students to receive instructions regarding the appropriate study skills when initiated into universities

The effects of smoking on whisker movements: a quantitative measure of exploratory behaviour in rodents

Nicotine, an important component of cigarette smoke, is a neurotransmitter that contributes to stress, depression and anxiety in smokers. In rodents, it increases anxiety and reduces exploratory behaviours. However, so far, the measurements of exploratory behaviour in rodents have only been semi-quantitative and lacking in sufficient detail to characterise the temporal effect of smoking cessation. As rodents, such as mice and rats, primarily use whiskers to explore their environment, we studied the effect of 3 months smoking with 1 and 2 weeks smoking cessation on whisker movements in mice, using high-speed video camera footage and image analysis. Both protraction and retraction whisker velocities were increased in smoking mice (p<0.001) and returned to normal following just one week of smoking cessation. In addition, locomotion speeds were decreased in smoking mice, and returned to normal following smoking cessation. Lung function was also impacted by smoking and remained impaired even following smoking cessation. We suggest that the increased whisker velocities in the smoking mice reflect reduced exploration and impeded tactile performance. The increase in whisker velocity with smoking, and its reduction following smoking cessation, also lends support to acetylcholine being involved in awareness, attention and alertness pathways. It also shows that smoking-induced behavioural changes can be reversed with smoking cessation, which may have implications for human smokers

Identification of gardnerella vaginalis and atopobium vaginae in women with bacterial vaginosis in Northern Iran

Background Bacterial vaginosis is the most common lower genital tract infection among women of reproductive age. Its causative agent is often the bacterium Gardnerella vaginalis, which exists in synergism with other mostly anaerobic bacteria such as Atopobium vaginae, Mobiluncus curtisii, and Megasphaera type I. Methods A total of 211 women, who referred to obstetrics and gynecology clinics in Rasht City for suspected vaginal infections, were tested for possible bacterial vaginosis. The presence of G. vaginalis and A. vaginae was verified by 5 different laboratory methods based on the Amsel criteria. These methods included determination of pH, whiff test, and observation of clue cells in a direct smear. Polymerase chain reaction using specific primers was performed on the extracted DNA from the vaginal specimens. Results Sixty cases of bacterial vaginosis, of the 211 women tested for suspected vaginal infections, were confirmed using Amsel criteria. In 44 (29/66) and 29 (19/66) of these bacterial vaginosis cases, the presence of G. vaginalis and A. vaginae was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Conclusions Gardnerella vaginalis had a very high prevalence in the 18-to 35-year-old women suffering from bacterial vaginosis in this region of Iran. Presumably, these cases were recommended for appropriate treatment, but the wider issue is about prevention in this age group and appropriate public health messages to raise awareness. © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved

Tactile learning within the early phase of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice

The purpose of this study was to assess tactile learning in the early phase of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), which was induced in C57BL/6 mice by subcutaneous injections on flank of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, MOG35-55 (250 μg per mouse). Tactile learning was assessed one week after EAE induction using the novel object recognition test (NORT) in a dark room. The procedure consisted of two phases. During the training phase (T1), the animals explored two similar objects; within the test phase (T2, occurring 4 h later) the mice explored one novel and one familiar object. On average, mice developed significant behavioral disabilities related to EAE 13.2 ± 1.9 days following immunization. In the EAE group, the locomotor activity level (assessed by measuring the distance travelled) in the T1 and T2 phases did not differ significantly, as compared to the related phases in the control group (P > 0.05). Within phase T1, no reliable differences between experimental groups were found for the frequency (number) of visits to the sample objects and for total exploration time. For phase T2, no difference was also found in the discrimination ratio when comparing the control group with the EAE group. Our study demonstrates that tactile learning in male mice may not be affected 7 days after immunization with MOG35-55 (i.e., within the early EAE phase). © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

The effect of intra-striatal administration of GPR55 agonist (LPI) and antagonist (ML193) on sensorimotor and motor functions in a Parkinson's disease rat model

Objective:G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55) is an orphan G protein-coupled receptor with various physiological functions. Recent evidence suggests that this receptor may be involved in the control of motor functions. Therefore, in the present study, we evaluated the effects of intra-striatal administration of GPR55 selective ligands in a rat model of Parkinson's disease.Methods:Experimental Parkinson was induced by unilateral intra-striatal administration of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA, 10 μg/rat). L-α-lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI, 1 and 5 μg/rat), an endogenous GPR55 agonist, and ML193 (1 and 5 μg/rat), a selective GPR55 antagonist, were injected into the striatum of 6-OHDA-lesioned rats. Motor performance and balance skills were evaluated using the accelerating rotating rod and the ledged beam tests. The sensorimotor function of the forelimbs and locomotor activity were assessed by the adhesive removal and open field tests, respectively.Results:6-OHDA-lesioned rats had impaired behaviors in all tests. Intra-striatal administration of LPI in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats increased time on the rotarod, decreased latency to remove the label, with no significant effect on slip steps, and locomotor activity. Intra-striatal administration of ML193 also increased time on the rotarod, decreased latency to remove the label and slip steps in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats mostly at the dose of 1 μg/rat.Conclusions:This study suggests that the striatal GPR55 is involved in the control of motor functions. However, considering the similar effects of GPR55 agonist and antagonist, it may be concluded that this receptor has a modulatory role in the control of motor deficits in an experimental model of Parkinson. © 2020 Scandinavian College of Neuropsychopharmacology

Effectiveness of Electroconvulsive Therapy in Persistent Methamphetamine Psychosis: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND: Persistent methamphetamine (METH) psychosis is a psychotic state beyond 1-month after abstinence, for which there is no effective treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in persistent METH psychosis patients hospitalized at Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Kerman, Iran, from 6 September 2012 until 6 September 2013, who were not remitted after treatment with olanzapine. METHODS: This research was a pilot study on hospitalized patients. After 4 weeks of treatment with olanzapine, 10 out of 71 studied patients did not show complete remission of psychotic symptoms despite their response to the treatment. The mentioned 10 patients were divided into 2 groups by random digit numbers. 5 patients had continued olanzapine and other 5 received 6 sessions of bilateral ECT every other day in addition to olanzapine. FINDINGS: Remission rate of patients in the initial 4 weeks was 78.7%. Reduction in total brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS) scale at the end of 1-week compared with the next week demonstrated improvement in the symptoms until the end of the study. There was no significant difference in BPRS scores between weeks 4 and 6 in the two groups. CONCLUSION: This research demonstrated that few sessions of ECT in persistent METH psychosis will not lead to remission in all patients

Role of orexin-A in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of orexin-A (OX-A) on behavioral and pathological parameters and on gene expression of some multiple sclerosis-related peptides in a model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). EAE was induced by subcutaneous administration of MOG 35-55. Following immunization, the treatment was initiated by using SB.334867 (orexin-1 receptor antagonist) and/or OX-A. Locomotor activity and exploratory behaviors were monitored using open field and T-maze continuous alternation task (T-CAT) respectively. Pain sensitivity was assessed by hot-plate test. Histopathological assessments were performed by H&E staining. The expression of TGF-β, MBP, MMP-9, IL-12, iNOS and MCP-1 were measured using real-time PCR method in lumbar spinal cord. OX-A administration in EAE mice remarkably attenuated the clinical symptoms, increased latency response in hot plate test, inhibited infiltration of inflammatory cells, up-regulated mRNA expression of TGF-β as well as MBP and down-regulated mRNA expression of iNOS, MMP-9 and IL-12. In contrast SB.334867 administration in EAE mice deteriorated the clinical symptoms, decreased the alternation in T-CAT, increased infiltration of inflammatory cells, down-regulated mRNA expression of TGF-β and MBP and up-regulated mRNA expression of iNOS. Results of this study suggest that the orexinergic system might be involved in pathological development of EAE. These findings suggest orexinergic system as a potential target for treatment of multiple sclerosis. © 2016 Elsevier B.V

Increased mRNA level of orexin1 and 2 receptors following induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice

Orexin A and B are hypothalamic peptides with a wide variety of effects such as anti-inflammation and neuroprotection. Impaired function of orexin system has been reported in some neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson, Huntington and Alzheimer. In this study, the mRNA expression levels of some hypothalamic peptides were investigated in C57BL/6 female mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Animals were randomly divided into two control and EAE groups. EAE was induced by administration of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) with complete Ferund's adjuvant and pertussis toxin. Twenty-first days following immunization, mice were decapitated to remove the brains. Then, the expression profiles of prepro-orexin, orexin 1 receptors (OX1R) and orexin 2 receptors (OX2R) in hypothalamic region were assessed using real-time PCR method. In this study, we found a considerable increase in the mRNA expression of OX1R and OX2R following EAE induction in C57BL/6 mice. Elevation levels of OX1R and OX2R following EAE induction suggest that alteration in orexinergic system may involve in pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. © Copyright Winter 2016, Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol. All rights reserved