Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are specialized extracellular matrix aggregates surrounding distinct neuronal populations and regulating synaptic functions and plasticity. Previous findings showed robust PNN decreases in amygdala, entorhinal cortex and prefrontal cortex of subjects with schizophrenia (SZ), but not bipolar disorder (BD). These studies were carried out using a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) lectin marker. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the CSPG aggrecan, and 6-sulfated chondroitin sulfate (CS-6) chains highly represented in aggrecan, may contribute to these abnormalities. Antibodies against aggrecan and CS-6 (3B3 and CS56) were used in the amygdala of healthy control, SZ and BD subjects. In controls, aggrecan immunoreactivity (IR) was observed in PNNs and glial cells. Antibody 3B3, but not CS56, also labeled PNNs in the amygdala. In addition, dense clusters of CS56 and 3B3 IR encompassed CS56- and 3B3-IR glia, respectively. In SZ, numbers of aggrecan- and 3B3-IR PNNs were decreased, together with marked reductions of aggrecan-IR glial cells and CS-6 (3B3 and CS56)-IR ‘clusters'. In BD, numbers of 3B3-IR PNNs and CS56-IR clusters were reduced. Our findings show disruption of multiple PNN populations in the amygdala of SZ and, more modestly, BD. Decreases of aggrecan-IR glia and CS-6-IR glial ‘clusters', in sharp contrast to increases of CSPG/lectin-positive glia previously observed, indicate that CSPG abnormalities may affect distinct glial cell populations and suggest a potential mechanism for PNN decreases. Together, these abnormalities may contribute to a destabilization of synaptic connectivity and regulation of neuronal functions in the amygdala of subjects with major psychoses.

Background: The hypothesis was that torasemide, due to more predictable pharmacokineticsypharmacodynamics, induces greater improvements in functional and social limitation than furosemide and reduces the frequency of hospitalisations in primary care patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Patients and Methods: Prospective, randomized, unblinded study in primary care, 237 patients with CHF (NYHA II-IV), all on ACE inhibitors. Randomisation: torasemide (ns122) or furosemide (ns115), treated for 9 months. Endpoints: Clinical efficacy, quality of life, safety, tolerability, hospitalisations. Results: Clinical improvement was observed in both groups, but the trend to improve by at least one NYHA class was significant only in torasemide-(Ps0.014), but not in furosemide-treated patients. There were no differences with regard to adverse events and hospitalisation due to CHF. Overall, tolerability (Ps0.0001) and improvement in daily restrictions (Ps0.0002) were significantly higher, number of mictions at 3, 6 and 12 h after diuretic intake (P-0.001 at all time points) and urgency to urinate (P-0.0001) significantly lower in torasemide-vs. furosemide-treated patients. Conclusion: CHF patients treated with torasemide gain a higher benefit in quality of life than furosemide treated patients, due to torasemide's dual effect on both clinical status and social function.

The insecticidal activity of the delta-endotoxins of 14 Bacillus thuringiensis strains belonging to 12 subspecies was determined against Pieris brassicae, Heliothis virescens, and Spodoptera littoralis. Larvae of P. brassicae were highly susceptible to purified crystals of strains of B. thuringiensis subsp. thuringiensis and B. thuringiensis subsp. morrisoni, whereas H. virescens responded best to B. thuringiensis subsp. kenyae and B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki. The crystals of the B. thuringiensis subsp. entomocidus strain were the most potent against S. littoralis. It was shown that the solubility of the crystals within the gut of the three insect species is a first important step in the mode of action. Predissolution of the crystals especially enhanced the insecticidal activity against H. virescens. When in vitro-activated toxins were applied, the relative potency range varied greatly from one insect species to another. It can be concluded that at least three factors influence the potency of B. thuringiensis delta-endotoxins: the strain-related origin of the toxin, the degree of solubility of the crystals in the gut juice, and the intrinsic susceptibility of the insect to the toxin.

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In a large group of young (n = 194) and elderly (n = 148) healthy subjects, we explored the relationship between ambulatory blood pressure (BP) levels, within-subject BP variability, and age in men and women. The questions asked were: Do elderly subjects display higher BP levels and variability compared to a young group? Are there gender differences in BP level and variability? Are these gender differences similar in the young and the elderly subjects? Do age or gender influence BP in a similar way during waking and during sleep? Subjects wore an ambulatory BP monitor (Accutracker II) for 24 h.