Water Group (water + group)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Modulation of Brain Endocannabinoid Levels by Voluntary Alcohol Consumption in Alcohol-Preferring AA Rats

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 10 2009
Hanna Malinen
Background:, The central nervous system cannabinoid CB1 receptors have been implicated in regulation of alcohol consumption. Less data are available on the role of the endogenous ligands for these receptors, anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), in alcohol-related behaviors. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of voluntary alcohol consumption on the levels of these endocannabinoids in key brain areas mediating alcohol reinforcement. Methods:, Female and male alcohol-preferring AA (Alko, Alcohol) rats were trained to drink 10% (v/v) alcohol during 90-min limited access sessions every second day. Following establishment of stable alcohol drinking, half of the subjects were killed immediately before the daily alcohol access ("pre-session" group), while the other half was killed after the drinking session ("post-session" group). A separate control group consisted of water-drinking rats. AEA and 2-AG levels were measured from prefrontal cortex (PFC), nucleus accumbens (NAc), caudate putamen (CPu), amygdala, and hippocampus using liquid chromatography,tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Results:, Voluntary alcohol drinking caused widespread alterations in the levels of both AEA and 2-AG. Compared to the water group, increased AEA levels were seen in the pre-session group, but they were decreased immediately following limited access drinking in the female AA rats. Also 2-AG levels were significantly elevated after long alcohol exposure, and an additional increase was found after limited access drinking in PFC. In males, however, the only alterations caused by alcohol drinking were significantly elevated AEA levels in NAc and CPu in the post-session group. No changes were seen in the levels of 2-AG. Conclusions:, These results demonstrate that voluntary alcohol drinking modulates the levels of endocannabinoids in several brain areas implicated in alcohol reinforcement. AEA and 2-AG were differentially affected, suggesting that they could have partially separate modulatory roles. Alterations were more widespread in females than males, possibly reflecting their higher alcohol intake. Taken together, alcohol-induced release of endocannabinoids may have an important role in alcohol reinforcement and development of alcohol addiction. [source]


Comparison of two doses of breast milk and sucrose during neonatal heel prick

PEDIATRICS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2010
Tutku Ozdogan
Abstract Background:, The aim of the present study was to test analgesic effects of double- versus single-dose breast milk and compare this effect with efficacy of double- versus single-dose sucrose in a group of healthy term newborns during heel prick blood sampling. Methods:, Healthy newborns (n= 142) were consecutively allocated to one of the six groups: group 1, single-dose breast milk; group 2, single-dose sterile water; group 3, single-dose 12.5% sucrose; group 4, two doses breast milk; group 5, two doses sterile water; and group 6, two doses 12.5% sucrose before the heel prick. The medians for crying time and the pain scores according to the neonatal facial coding system were recorded. Results:, Crying times were 117 s, 126 s, 82 s, 128 s, 117 s, and 95 s in groups 1,6, respectively (P= 0.053). The mean pain scores were 4.60, 5.82, 3.91, 4.94, 5, and 4.05 in groups 1,6, respectively (P= 0.068). There was a significant difference between the groups for mean pain scores at 1 min and 3 min. There was a significant difference between the single-dose sucrose group and single-dose sterile water group at 1 min (P= 0.002). The babies in the sucrose group were active awake, whereas the ones in the breast milk group were asleep before heel prick. Conclusion:, Two doses of sucrose solution were not superior to single-dose sucrose. Neither single nor double doses of breast milk were effective in relieving pain in neonates. Two milliliters breast milk does not reduce response to pain during minor painful procedures in term neonates even when two doses have been given. Further studies are needed. [source]


The effect of Phyllanthus niruri on urinary inhibitors of calcium oxalate crystallization and other factors associated with renal stone formation

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 9 2002
A.M. Freitas
Objective,To evaluate the effect of an aqueous extract of Phyllanthus niruri (Pn), a plant used in folk medicine to treat lithiasis, on the urinary excretion of endogenous inhibitors of lithogenesis, citrate, magnesium and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Materials and methods,The effect of chronic (42 days) administration of Pn (1.25 mg/mL/day, orally) was evaluated in a rat model of urolithiasis induced by the introduction of a calcium oxalate (CaOx) seed into the bladder of adult male Wistar rats. The animals were divided into four groups: a sham control (16 rats); a control+Pn (six); CaOx+water instead of Pn (14); and CaOx+Pn (22). Plasma and urine were collected after 42 days of treatment for biochemical analysis and the determination of urinary excretion of citrate, magnesium and GAGs. The animals were then killed and the calculi analysed. Results,The creatinine clearance or urinary and plasma concentrations of Na+, K+, Ca2+, oxalate, phosphate and uric acid were unaffected by Pn or the induction of lithiasis. Treatment with Pn strongly inhibited the growth of the matrix calculus and reduced the number of stone satellites compared with the group receiving water. The calculi were eliminated or dissolved in some treated animals (three of 22). The urinary excretion of citrate and magnesium was unaffected by Pn treatment. However, the mean (sd) urinary concentration of GAGs was significantly lower in rats treated with CaOx+Pn, at 5.64 (0.86) mg/g creatinine, than when treated with CaOx + water, at 11.78 (2.21) mg/g creatinine. In contrast, the content of GAGs in the calculi was higher in the CaOx + Pn rats, at 48.0 (10.4) g/g calculus, than in the CaOx + water group, at 16.6 (9.6) g/g calculus. Conclusion,These results show that Pn has an inhibitory effect on crystal growth, which is independent of changes in the urinary excretion of citrate and Mg, but might be related to the higher incorporation of GAGs into the calculi. [source]


A Multicenter Comparison of Tap Water versus Sterile Saline for Wound Irrigation

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 5 2007
Ronald M. Moscati MD
ObjectivesTo compare wound infection rates for irrigation with tap water versus sterile saline before closure of wounds in the emergency department. MethodsThe study was a multicenter, prospective, randomized trial conducted at two Level 1 urban hospitals and a suburban community hospital. Subjects were a convenience sample of adults presenting with acute simple lacerations requiring sutures or staples. Subjects were randomized to irrigation in a sink with tap water or with normal saline using a sterile syringe. Wounds were closed in the standard fashion. Subjects were asked to return to the emergency department for suture removal. Those who did not return were contacted by telephone. Wounds were considered infected if there was early removal of sutures or staples, if there was irrigation and drainage of the wound, or if the subject needed to be placed on antibiotics. Equivalence of the groups was met if there was less than a doubling of the infection rate. ResultsA total of 715 subjects were enrolled in the study. Follow-up data were obtained on 634 (88%) of enrolled subjects. Twelve (4%) of the 300 subjects in the tap water group had wound infections, compared with 11 (3.3%) of the 334 subjects in the saline group. The relative risk was 1.21 (95% confidence interval = 0.5 to 2.7). ConclusionsEquivalent rates of wound infection were found using either irrigant. The results of this multicenter trial evaluating tap water as an irrigant agree with those from previous single institution trials. [source]


Oral glucose as an analgesic to reduce infant distress following immunization at the age of 3, 5 and 12 months

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 2 2007
Margit Thyr
Abstract Aim: To evaluate oral glucose as an analgesic to reduce infant distress after immunization during the first year of life and to investigate if these effects change during this period. Methods: A prospective controlled trial of the effectiveness of glucose on crying response to immunizations at 3, 5 and 12 months of age. A total of 110 infants were randomized to receive 2 mL of 30% glucose or water. The same solution was given at 3, 5 and 12 months. Crying was registered from onset of the injection up to 120 seconds. Infanrix Polio Hib was administered intra-muscular in the thigh. Observation nurse and parents were blind to the nature of the solution. Results: Administration of glucose reduced the mean crying time by 22% at 3 months, 62% at 5 months and 52% at 12 months. The difference was significant at 5 and at 12 months. In the water group, there was a significant correlation between the children who cried at 3 months and who subsequently cried at 5 and 12 months. No correlations were found in the glucose group. Conclusion: Sweet solution can be used as a simple and safe method to reduce the distress following immunization in infants up to 12 months. [source]