Search results for "interactions."
showing 10 items of 1865 documents
Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence varies by cat breed.
2017
Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread zoonotic parasite that is relevant for veterinary and public health. The domestic cat, the definitive host species with the largest worldwide population, has become evolutionarily and epidemiologically the most important host of T. gondii. The outcome of T. gondii infection is influenced by congenital and acquired host characteristics. We detected differences in T. gondii seroprevalence by cat breed in our previous studies. The aims of this study were to estimate T. gondii seroprevalence in selected domestic cat breeds, and to evaluate whether being of a certain breed is associated with T. gondii seropositivity, when the age and lifestyle of the cat are tak…
Friend or foe? The apparent benefits of gregarine (Apicomplexa: Sporozoa) infection in the European earwig
2020
International audience; Studying the costs and benefits of host-parasite interactions is of central importance to shed light on the evolutionary drivers of host life history traits. Although gregarines (Apicomplexa: Sporozoa) are one of the most frequent parasites in the gut of invertebrates, the diversity of its potential impacts on a host remains poorly explored. In this study, we addressed this gap in knowledge by investigating the prevalence of natural infections by the gregarine Gregarina ovata and testing how these infections shape a large set of morphological, behavioural and physiological traits in the European earwig Forficula auricularia. Our results first show that G. ovata was p…
NS5A gene analysis by next generation sequencing in HCV nosocomial transmission clusters of HCV genotype 1b infected patients
2019
Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the intra-host variability through next-generation-sequencing (NGS) of the NS5A-gene in nosocomial transmission-clusters observed in two Italian hospitals among hepatitis C virus (HCV)-genotype-1b infected patients. Methods: HCV-sequencing was performed by Sanger-sequencing (NS3 + NS5A + NS5B) and by NGS (NS5A, MiSeq-Illumina) in 15 HCV-1b infected patients [five acute with onco-hematologic-disease and 10 (4/6 acute/chronic) with &beta
Real-life use of elbasvir/grazoprevir in adults and elderly patients: a prospective evaluation of comedications used in the PITER cohort.
2021
Background In patients treated for HCV infection, potential drug–drug interactions (DDIs) can occur among direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs) and comedications used. The real-life effectiveness and safety of elbasvir/grazoprevir (ELB/GZR) among co-medicated HCV patients was evaluated. Methods We prospectively evaluated consecutive patients from 15 clinical centres participating in PITER who were treated with ELB/GZR and had been followed for at least 12 weeks after treatment. Data were prospectively collected on the use of comedications (including discontinuation, dose modification and addition of drugs) and potential DDIs with DAAs. Results Of the 356 patients with at least 12-week post-t…
Effect of some indole derivatives on xenobiotic metabolism and xenobiotic-induced toxicity in cultured rat liver slices.
1999
In this study the effect of some indole derivatives on xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes and xenobiotic-induced toxicity has been examined in cultured precision-cut liver slices from male Sprague-Dawley rats. While treatment of rat liver slices for 72 hours with 2-200 microM of either indole-3-carbinol (I3C) or indole-3-acetonitrile (3-ICN) had little effect on cytochrome P-450 (CYP)-dependent enzyme activities, enzyme induction was observed after in vivo administration of I3C. The treatment of rat liver slices with 50 microM 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM; a dimer derived from I3C under acidic conditions) for 72 hours resulted in a marked induction of CYP-dependent enzyme activities. DIM appears…
In the rat maximal dentate activation model of partial complex epilepsy, the anticonvulsant activity of levetiracetam is modulated by nitric oxide-ac…
2009
The effects of nitric oxide-active drugs on the anticonvulsant action of the antiepileptic drug levetiracetam in an experimental model of partial complex seizures named maximal dentate gyrus activation were studied in rats. Levetiracetam was given alone or in combination with 7-nitroindazole, a preferential inhibitor of neuronal nitric oxide synthase, or with L: -arginine, the precursor of nitric oxide synthesis. The maximal dentate activation parameters were the time of latency and the durations of maximal dentate activation and afterdischarge responses. The administration of levetiracetam showed an anticonvulsant effect that was increased when given in combination with 7-nitroindazole. Th…
Treatment with soluble activin type IIB-receptor improves bone mass and strength in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
2016
Background Inhibition of activin/myostatin pathway has emerged as a novel approach to increase muscle mass and bone strength. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a neuromuscular disorder that leads to progressive muscle degeneration and also high incidence of fractures. The aim of our study was to test whether inhibition of activin receptor IIB ligands with or without exercise could improve bone strength in the mdx mouse model for DMD. Methods Thirty-two mdx mice were divided to running and non-running groups and to receive either PBS control or soluble activin type IIB-receptor (ActRIIB-Fc) once weekly for 7 weeks. Results Treatment of mdx mice with ActRIIB-Fc resulted in significantly in…
Interference of antisperm antibodies with the induction of the acrosome reaction by zona pellucida (ZP) and its relationship with the inhibition of Z…
1997
Abstract Objective: To determine whether antisperm antibodies can interfere with the induction of the acrosome reaction (AR) by the zona pellucida (ZP) and whether this interference also can occur in the absence of an inhibitory effect on ZP binding. Design: Prospective in vitro study. Setting: A tertiary care center, the Andrologic Clinic, University of L'Aquila. Patient(s): Sera from 12 infertile patients with high titers of circulating antibodies directed against the sperm head were studied. Intervention: None Main Outcome Measure(s): The effect of antisperm antibodies on ZP binding was evaluated by matching antibody-exposed and nonexposed donor sperm suspensions labeled with fluorescein…
Effect of the CB1 cannabinoid agonist WIN 55212-2 on the acquisition and reinstatement of MDMA-induced conditioned place preference in mice
2010
AbstractBackgroundNumerous reports indicate that MDMA users consume other psychoactive drugs, among which cannabis is one of the most common. The aim of the present study was to evaluate, using the conditioned place preference, the effect of the cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,212-2 on the rewarding effects of MDMA in mice.MethodsIn the first experiment adolescent mice were initially conditioned with 1.25, 2.5 or 5 mg/kg of MDMA or 0.1 or 0.5 mg/kg of WIN and subsequently with both drugs. Reinstatement of the extinguished preference by priming doses was performed in the groups that showed CPP. In the second experiment, animals were conditioned with 2.5 or 5 mg/kg of MDMA and, after extinction, r…
Behavioral Effects of GABAA Receptor Stimulation and GABA-Transporter Inhibition
2000
Abstract The present analysis addressed behavioral changes after treatment with 4.5 mg/kg or 18.5 mg/kg of the GABA-uptake inhibitor tiagabine combined with either the benzodiazepine diazepam (1.5 mg/kg) or the imidazopyridine zolpidem (0.05 mg/kg), the latter two acting differentially on GABA A receptor subtypes. The study included 97 male PVG/OIaHsd rats. A standard open field, an enriched open field, and an elevated plus-maze was used to study rat behavior. Treatment with the low dose of tiagabine alone induced no specific behavioral effects, whereas the high dose had an anxiolytic-like potential. Furthermore, diazepam but not zolpidem displayed anxiolytic-like effects. Combination of ea…