This work aimed to contribute an evolutionary, comparative
context to our understanding of a key component in learning, and of natural reward as an important life-sustaining process. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Aims:
To evaluate the interaction of 1-(1-naphthylmethyl)-piperazine (NMP) and ciprofloxacin (CPFX) in vitro against fluoroquinolone (FQ)-resistant clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Methods and Results:
The in vitro interaction of NMP and CPFX in 12 FQ-resistant clinical isolates of MRSA was assessed using a checkerboard microdilution method. In the study, a synergistic antimicrobial effect between NMP and CPFX was observed in all 12 FQ-resistant NCT-501 clinical trial strains tested, as determined by the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI), and in 10 strains
using delta E models. No antagonistic activity was observed in any of the strains tested. These positive interactions were also confirmed using the time-killing test and agar FRAX597 molecular weight diffusion assay for the selected strain, MRSA 1862; synergistic activity was observed when NMP was combined with the first-line antimicrobial agent CPFX against Staph. aureus.
Conclusions:
Synergistic activity between NMP and CPFX against clinical isolates of FQ-resistant Staph. aureus was observed in vitro.
Significance and Impact of the Study:
This report might provide alternative methods to reduce the resistance of Staph. aureus to CPFX.”
“A challenge for social-affective neuroscience programs is to identify simple and yet valid animal models for studying the expression of basic social emotions and their role during different developmental windows, from infancy to adulthood. For example, although laboratory rats are useful for studying juvenile tuclazepam social interactions, they are not ideal for studying infant attachment bonds. Here, we evaluate current understanding of the social behavior of Octodon degus, a diurnal precocial rodent, to elucidate the value of this species as
a model for social-affective neuroscience research. After a synopsis of species-specific characteristics and brain susceptibility to changes of social environment, our behavioral findings on degu social proclivities are summarized. We then discuss why this pre-clinical model provides a valuable addition to the commonly available animal models for the study of human psychopathology. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Aims:
To investigate whether green kiwifruit modulates the composition of colonic microbiota in growing pigs.
Methods and Results:
Thirty-two pigs were fed the control diet or one of the three test diets containing either cellulose, freeze-dried kiwifruit or kiwifruit fibre as the sole fibre source for 14-day study.