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E Bona

Publications and source records attributed to E Bona.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Hypoxic-ischaemic brain damage in immature rats: effects of adrenoceptor modulation.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the role of adrenergic receptors in the cascade leading to hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury in neonatal rats. The effect of adrenergic agents (prazosin, yohimbine, idazoxan and clonidine) administered before or after hypoxia-ischaemia was evaluated with respect to mortality and brain injury. Rat pups of either 7 or 8 days of age were subjected to unilateral carotid artery ligation combined with hypoxia (6% or 8% O2 in N2). The mortality was higher in hypoxic-ischaemic groups pre-treated with the alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonists prazosin (48%) or yohimbine (53%) than in saline controls (7%). After 2 weeks the severity of the brain injury was evaluated in the surviving rats. Unilateral brain injury, evaluated by brain weight deficit of the injured ipsilateral hemisphere compared with the contralateral hemisphere, was 17.8 +/- 4.9% and 27.1 +/- 4.0% in pre- and post-treated saline groups, respectively. Post-treatment with clonidine, an alpha2-adrenergic agonist, reduced brain injury by 45% (p < 0.05) compared with saline controls. Pre-treatment with the same drug was not effective. Idazoxan had no effect on brain injury in this animal model. The results indicate that activation of central alpha2-adrenergic or imidazole receptors provides neuroprotection during reperfusion after hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury in neonatal rats.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

Chemokine and inflammatory cell response to hypoxia-ischemia in immature rats.

Hypoxia-ischemia induces an inflammatory response in the immature central nervous system that may be important for development of brain injury. Recent data implicate that chemoattractant cytokines, chemokines, are involved in the recruitment of immune cells. The aim was to study alpha- and beta-chemokines in relation to the temporal activation of inflammatory cells after hypoxia-ischemia in immature rats. Hypoxia-ischemia was induced in 7-day-old rats (left carotid artery occlusion + 7.7% oxygen). The pups were decapitated at different times after the insult. Immunohistochemistry was used for evaluation of the inflammatory cell response and RT-PCR to analyze the cytokine mRNA and chemokine mRNA expression. A distinct interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha cytokine expression was found 0-24 h after hypoxia-ischemia that was accompanied by induction of alpha-chemokines (growth related gene and macrophage inflammatory protein-2). In the next phase, the beta2-integrin expression was increased (12 h and onward) and neutrophils transiently invaded the vessels and tissue in the infarct region. The mRNA induction for the beta-chemokines macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha, macrophage inflammatory protein-1beta, and RANTES preceded the expression of markers for lymphocytes [cluster of differentiation (CD)4, CD8], microglia/macrophages (MHC I), and natural killer cells in the infarct area. The activation of microglia/macrophages, CD4 lymphocytes, and astroglia persisted up to at least 42 d of postnatal age implicating a chronic component of immunoinflammatory activation. The expression of mRNA for alpha- and beta-chemokines preceded the appearance of immune cells suggesting that these molecules may have a role in the inflammatory response to insults in the immature central nervous system.

Animals↗

Temporal changes of regional glucose use, blood flow, and microtubule-associated protein 2 immunostaining after hypoxia-ischemia in the immature rat brain.

In a situation with normal CBF and without increased energy utilization, increased glucose utilization (CMRglc) can be a sign of impaired mitochondrial metabolism, which may be an early step in the injury cascade during reperfusion after hypoxia-ischemia (HI). Seven-day-old rats underwent unilateral carotid artery ligation and 70 minutes of HI. At 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 or 72 hours after the insult, the CMRglc was measured by the 2-deoxyglucose method, and CBF by the iodoantipyrine method. These were compared with hematoxylin-eosin staining and microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP 2) immunostaining in adjacent sections. In the ipsilateral hemisphere, there appeared regions with increased CMRglc compared with the contralateral hemisphere 3 to 12 hours after HI that also showed partial loss of MAP 2 immunostaining and early ischemic changes. These areas receded, leaving central glucose hypoutilizing areas with complete loss of MAP 2 immunostaining and histologic infarction, surrounded by only a rim of tissue with increased CMRglc. At 24 and 72 hours after the insult, no regions with increased CMRglc remained. Despite loss of MAP 2 immunostaining and histologic signs of infarction at 24 hours, cortical CBF was not reduced until 48 hours after HI, whereas the CBF in the caudate-putamen already was decreased compared with the contralateral side at 3 hours after HI. In conclusion, early reperfusion is characterized by glucose hyperutilizing areas in the cerebral cortex, followed by a secondary phase with low CMRglc and infarction.

Animals↗

Protective effects of moderate hypothermia after neonatal hypoxia-ischemia: short- and long-term outcome.

We have previously shown that mild hypothermia applied after hypoxia-ischemia in newborn piglets and rats reduces brain injury evaluated 3-7 d after the insult. The aim of the present study was to assess the neuroprotective efficacy of hypothermia with respect to short- (neuropathology) and long-term (neuropathology and sensorimotor function) outcome after hypoxia-ischemia in 7-d-old rats. One hundred fourteen animals from 13 litters survived either 1 or 6 wk after a hypoxic-ischemic insult. The animals were randomized to either 1) normothermic recovery for the whole 1- or 6-wk period or 2) cooling to a rectal temperature of 32.0 degrees C for the first 6 h followed by normothermic recovery with the dam. Hypothermia offered a uniform protection of 27, 35, 28, and 25% in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, basal ganglia, and thalamus, respectively, in the 1-wk survivors (n = 32). The corresponding values for the 6-wk survivors (n = 61) were 22, 28, 37, and 35%. There was a significant correlation between sensorimotor performance and infarct volume (r = 0.66; p < 0.001). However, the sensorimotor function was not significantly improved by hypothermia if all animals were included, but in female pups the total functional score was higher in the hypothermia group (150 +/- 35 versus 100 +/- 34, p < 0.0007) which corresponded to a marked (51%) reduction of the neuropathology score in this subgroup. This is the first neonatal study to show a long-term histopathologic protection of the brain after posthypoxic hypothermia.

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The calpain proteolytic system in neonatal hypoxic-ischemia.

Neonatal rats were subjected to transient cerebral hypoxic-ischemia (HI, unilateral occlusion of the common carotid artery +7.70% O2 for 100 min) and allowed to recover for up to 14 days. Calpain caseinolytic activity was found to increase in both hemispheres for at least 20 hr. Hypoxic exposure per se increased the activity of calpains, more pronounced in a membrane-associated fraction, probably through interaction with cellular components, whereas HI introduced a loss of activity, most likely through consumption and loss of proteases. Consecutive tissue sections were stained with antibodies against calpastatin, alpha-fodrin, the 150-kDa breakdown product of alpha-fodrin (FBDP, marker of calpain proteolysis) or microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2, marker of dendrosomatic neuronal injury). Areas with brain injury displayed a distinct loss of MAP-2, which clearly delineated the infarct. FBDP accumulated in injured and borderline regions ipsilaterally, and a less conspicuous, transient increase in FBDP also occurred in the contralateral hemisphere, especially in the white matter. The cytosolic fraction (CF) and the membrane and microsomal fraction (MMF) of cortical tissue were subjected to Western blotting and stained with antibodies against calpain, calpastatin and the 150-kDa breakdown product of alpha-fodrin (FBDP). Calpain immunoreactivity decreased bilaterally in the CF during the insult (62-68% of controls) and remained significantly lower during early recovery, whereas the MMF showed no significant changes. This translocation of calpains coincided with the appearance of FBDP in the ipsilateral, HI hemisphere, displaying a significantly higher level of FBDP from immediately after the insult until at least 1 day of recovery (204-292% of controls). No significant changes in FBDP were found in the contralateral, undamaged hemisphere, despite translocation of calpains in both hemispheres, a prerequisite for calpain activation. This discrepancy may be related to changes in the endogenous inhibitor, calpastatin. Calpastatin protein was found to decrease during and shortly after HI in the ipsilateral, but not the contralateral, hemisphere. The inhibitory activity of calpastatin also tended to decrease after HI, indicating that a reduction of calpastatin may be necessary for extensive calpain activation to occur. The mRNA of m-calpain increased in the HI hemisphere 48 hr after the insult (167%, p < 0.001), a time point when the protein was also increased. In summary, our findings indicate that calpains are activated during HI and in the early phase of reperfusion after HI, preceding neuronal death.

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Neonatal cerebral hypoxia-ischemia: the effect of adenosine receptor antagonists.

The effects of nonselective (theophylline), A1-(DPCPX) or A2A-selective (SCH 58261) adenosine receptor antagonists administered before or after neonatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI) were studied on the extent of brain injury in 7-day-old rats evaluated after 14 days. A possible effect of theophylline (20 mg/kg) on expression of immediate early genes was studied with in situ hybridization. Theophylline (20, 30 or 60 mg/kg) given prior to HI reduced brain damage by 48% (P < 0.001), 36% (P < 0.01) and 34% (P < 0.05), respectively, compared to control rats. This effect was not explained by changes in temperature, cerebral blood flow, blood gas/acid base status or blood glucose during the insult. Theophylline enhanced the upregulation of c-fos and NFGI-A during reperfusion but did not prevent the decrease in adenosine A1 receptor mRNA. Posttreatment with SCH 58261 (0.2 or 2 mg/kg) reduced brain damage by 19% (P < 0.05) and 14% (NS), respectively, compared to control rats which was unrelated to the core temperature. DPCPX (2 or 10 mg/kg) had no effect on the development of brain injury. In conclusion, nonselective and A2A adenosine receptor antagonists reduced brain injury in a model of HI in immature animals.

Animals↗

Hypoxia-ischaemia model in the 7-day-old rat: possibilities and shortcomings.

The Levene model in 7-day-old rats is the most often used model of hypoxia-ischaemia (HI) in immature animals. The rat central nervous system is immature at birth and corresponds neurodevelopmentally to the term human infant during the second postnatal week. The Levene model of HI differs from clinical asphyxia with respect to the unilateral distribution of brain injury and lack of multi-organ dysfunction. Furthermore, it does not allow cardiovascular monitoring or repeated blood sampling. On the other hand, the progressive nature of HI bears many similarities to birth asphyxia with regard to blood flow changes and cellular metabolic derangements. The model is well characterized, easy to carry out and the low cost allows inclusion of a sufficient number of animals for dose-response evaluation of neuroprotective agents. In addition, it provides the unique opportunity of long-term evaluation of neuropathological and functional outcome.

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Magnesium and the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist dizocilpine maleate neither increase glucose use nor induce a 72-kilodalton heat shock protein expression in the immature rat brain.

In adult rats N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists increase glucose use and induce a 72-kD heat shock protein (HSP72) expression in limbic system areas that later undergo neuronal necrosis, which have limited the clinical development of these drugs. Dizocilpine maleate (MK-801) and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) reduce hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in immature animals, but the effects on HSP72 expression and glucose use are unknown. Seven-day-old rats received injections of either vehicle (control), 0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg MK-801, or 2 or 4 mmol/kg MgSO4. Glucose utilization was measured with the deoxyglucose method, 30 min, 48 h, and 4 d after injection. HSP72 immunostaining was evaluated 4 or 24 h after injection. Both doses of MK-801 and 4 mmol/kg MgSO4 induced a temporary decrease in glucose use in the posterior cingulate and retrosplenial cortex, the CA1 and CA3 subfields of the hippocampus, the caudoputamen, and the parietal cortex. Doses of 2 mmol/kg MgSO4 did not affect glucose use in any structure. Neuronal HSP72 expression was not found in any drug-treated rats. In conclusion, neither MK-801 nor MgSO4 increased glucose use in the limbic system and did not induce HSP72 expression, suggesting that NMDAR antagonists lack direct neurotoxicity in the immature brain.

Animals↗

Sensorimotor function and neuropathology five to six weeks after hypoxia-ischemia in seven-day-old rats.

Various therapeutic interventions after hypoxia-ischemia (HI) have been shown to reduce brain injury in the short-term perspective, but it remains uncertain whether such findings are accompanied by long-term functional and structural improvements. HI was induced in 7-d-old rats as follows. The left carotid artery was ligated, and the rat was exposed to 100 min of hypoxia (7.70% oxygen in nitrogen). At postnatal d 42 the rats were assessed using four sensorimotor tests. The results were correlated with the extent of brain damage expressed as volume of deficit of the left hemisphere as percent of the right hemisphere. In the grip-traction test, the time to falling was 2.2 times shorter in the HI animals compared with controls (p < 0.01). Asymmetries of limb-placing and foot-faults (p < 0.001) were detected in HI animals, and the motor function was abnormal in the postural reflex test (p < 0.001). We found a moderate correspondence between functional and neuropathologic outcome (r = 0.842, p < 0.001). A set of four easily performed sensorimotor tests is presented for the long-term evaluation of neurologic function in the 7-d-old rat model of HI.

Animals↗

Microglia-astrocyte interactions after cortisone treatment in a neonatal hypoxia-ischemia model.

Microglial and astrocyte responses to glucocorticoid pretreatment in the neonate exposed to hypoxia-ischemia (HI) are largely unknown. The expression of microglial antigens and astrocytic proliferation was compared in neonatal rats exposed to HI with and without cortisone. HI was induced in 7 day old rats. One group of rats received cortisone within 24 h of birth. Immunocytochemical and immunoblot investigations were performed. Monoclonal antibodies (OX18 and OX42) were used for the detection of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigens and complement receptor 3 (CR3) respectively. Antibodies directed against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and microtubule associated protein II (MAP II) were used to evaluate the extent of brain damage. Cortisone treatment provoked a decline in the number of microglial cells but did not modify GFAP levels in control rats which were not exposed to HI. Neuronal damage was similar in control and cortisone treated rats exposed to HI. There were also similarities in the expression of CR3 antigens on microglia. However microglial cells expressing MHC class I antigens were less prevalent in rats exposed to HI only. Cortisone pretreatment enhanced the expression of MHC class I antigens. Astrocytic proliferation was intense in rats exposed to HI; however in rats treated with cortisone and exposed to HI there was a drastic reduction in astrocytic proliferation. In conclusion it is suggested that microglia which survive cortisone pretreatment become over-activated thereby preventing astrocytic proliferation.

Animals↗

Development of brain damage after neonatal hypoxia-ischemia: excitatory amino acids and cysteine.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of excitatory amino acids (EAAs) and cysteine in the development of brain damage after hypoxia-ischemia (HI) in neonates. In a rat model of neonatal HI, changes in extracellular (ec) amino acids in cerebral cortex were measured with microdialysis and correlated with the extent of brain damage at the site of probe placement. Extracellular concentrations of glutamate, aspartate and cysteine increased during HI and remained elevated during reperfusion. During HI the pattern of EAA changes was the same in the infarcted, undamaged and border zone regions. During reperfusion, however, the ec concentrations of glutamate, aspartate and cysteine were higher in infarcted and border zone areas compared to undamaged tissue. HI also produced a slight increase of tissue concentration of cysteine and decrease of tissue concentration of glutamate in parietal cortex of the HI hemisphere. The effect of cysteine on brain damage induced by HI and glutamate was also investigated. A subtoxic dose of cysteine potentiated glutamate toxicity in the arcuate nucleus and enhanced brain infarction after HI in neonatal rats. The results show that in neonatal HI the extracellular levels of EAAs during HI are not directly related to brain injury but the EAA levels during reflow predict the extent of infarction. Cysteine increases HI-induced brain injury and potentiates glutamate toxicity in neonatal rats. Speculatively, elevated level of cysteine during reperfusion may participate in the excitotoxic cascade leading to brain injury.

Animals↗

Enhanced expression of interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 messenger RNA and bioactive protein after hypoxia-ischemia in neonatal rats.

The effect of hypoxia-ischemia (HI) on IL-1, and IL-6 bioactivity in relation to expression of IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-6 mRNA was studied, and the neuroprotective efficacy of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) was evaluated in neonatal rats. HI was induced in 7-d-old rats by unilateral carotid artery ligation and hypoxia for 70-100 min. Animals were killed at different time points up to 14 d after HI, and brains were analyzed for IL-1 and IL-6 bioactivity using bioassays and for mRNA for IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-6 with reverse transcription followed by a polymerase chain reaction. In separate animals, IL-1ra was administered intracerebrally before or after HI, and the extent of brain injury was assessed 14 d after HI. A transient increase of IL-1 bioactivity occurred after HI, reaching a peak at 6 h of recovery. IL-1 beta mRNA followed a similar time course but attained maximum expression at 3 h. IL-6 bioactivity and mRNA were also stimulated by HI and followed a similar time course as IL-1. Pretreatment with IL-1ra reduced HI brain damage from 54.4 +/- 9.3 to 41.4 +/- 10.0% (p < or = 0.01), and IL-1ra posttreatment increased the proportion of animals devoid of brain injury (40%) compared with vehicle-treated controls (13%) (p < or = 0.05). In conclusion, a transient activation of IL-1 and IL-6 occurred after HI, and IL-1ra reduced HI brain injury to a moderate degree.

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Degradation of fodrin and MAP 2 after neonatal cerebral hypoxic-ischemia.

Neonatal rats were subjected to transient cerebral hypoxic-ischemia (unilateral occlusion of the common carotid artery + 7.70% O2 for 100 min) and allowed to recover for 3 h, 24 h, 2 days or 14 days. Consecutive tissue sections were stained with antibodies against alpha-fodrin, the 150 kDa breakdown product of alpha-fodrin (FBDP, marker of calpain proteolysis) or microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP 2, marker of dendrosomatic neuronal injury). Cortical tissue pieces were subjected to Western blotting using the antibody against the FBDP. Areas with brain injury displayed a distinct loss of MAP 2 which clearly delineated the infarct. FBDP accumulated in injured and borderline regions ipsilaterally and a less conspicuous, transient increase in FBDP also occurred in the contralateral hemisphere, especially in the white matter. A reciprocal staining pattern could be seen in the cerebral cortex, i.e. loss of MAP 2 and accumulation of FBDP, most pronounced 14 days after the insult. Fodrin and MAP 2 are known calpain substrates, and degradation of these proteins preceded neuronal degeneration, indicating that these proteases may be involved in the early events triggering the cascades leading to neuronal death.

Animals↗

Microglia activation after neonatal hypoxic-ischemia.

The inflammatory response following hypoxic-ischemia (HI) in the neonate is largely unknown. Presently, the expression of microglial antigens and the beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) were studied in relation to a dendrosomatic marker of neuronal injury (microtubule associated protein II; MAP II). HI was induced in 7-day-old rats by the combined unilateral carotid ligation and hypoxia. The pups (n = 23) were perfusion fixed 2-3 h, 24 h, 2-4 days and 14 days after HI and compared to sham-operated controls (n = 6). Antibodies were used for detection of the major histocompatibility complex II (OX-6), major histocompatibility complex I (OX-18) and complement receptor type 3 (OX-42), APP (APP 676-695) and MAP II (monoclonal MAP II) antigens. There was a transient APP expression 2-3 h after HI. A slight increase of microglial antigens (OX-18) was seen in the white matter 2 h after HI followed by a marked increase of OX-18, OX-6, OX-42 antigens 24 h-3-4 days in most injured regions with exception of the thalamus where a delayed (14 days) microglial response was seen. The latter event was parallelled by a delayed loss of MAP II. In conclusion, intense microglial expression occurs after neonatal HI either with an acute or delayed time-course depending on brain region.

Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor↗

The effect of long term caffeine treatment on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in the neonate.

There is considerable concern over the widespread use of caffeine during and after pregnancy. We have therefore examined the effect of perinatal caffeine use on the vulnerability of the immature brain to hypoxic ischemia (HI). Rat pups were exposed to caffeine during the first 7 d after birth by addition of a low or a high dose (0.3 or 0.8 g/L) of caffeine to the drinking water of their dams. At 7 d the pups were exposed to unilateral carotid occlusion+exposure to 7.70% oxygen for 100 min. The extent of HI brain damage was evaluated 2 wk after the insult. The effects of caffeine on A1 and A2a receptors, A1 mRNA and A2a mRNA, were examined by receptor autoradiography and in situ hybridization. Caffeine, theobromine, theophylline, and paraxanthine were analyzed in plasma of separate animals. Exposure to caffeine reduced HI brain damage from 40.3 +/- 3.2% in controls to 29.8 +/- 4.0% (p < 0.05) in low dose and 33.7 +/- 3.9% (NS) in the high dose group. The A1 receptor density measured as [3H]-1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentyl xanthine ([3H]-DPCPX) binding was not significantly affected after low dose caffeine but increased in the brain of rat pups in the high dose group. The A2a receptor density measured as [3H]-2[p-(2-carbonylethyl)-phenethylamino]-5'-N- ethylcarboxamidoadenosine ([3H]-CGS 21680) binding and the expression of A1 mRNA and A2a mRNA were not altered by caffeine treatment. In conclusion, low dose caffeine exposure (plasma levels corresponding to umbilical cord plasma in newborns of coffee-consuming mothers) reduced HI brain damage by 30% in 7-d-old rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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Hypoxic-ischemic injury in the neonatal rat brain: effects of pre- and post-treatment with the glutamate release inhibitor BW1003C87.

In a model of perinatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI) we examined the neuroprotective efficacy of pre- and post-treatment with the glutamate release inhibitor BW1003C87 [5-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl)-2,4-diamino-pyrimidine). Ipsilateral brain damage developed in 99% of rat pups subjected to HI (unilateral common carotid artery ligation and 100 min of 7.7% oxygen exposure) with a 26 +/- 16% (mean +/- S.D.) weight deficit of the damaged hemisphere 2 weeks after the insult. Pre-treatment with BW1003C87 (10 mg/kg intraperitoneally) reduced the brain damage by 46% (P < 0.05). A higher dose (20 mg/kg) of pre-treatment was not tolerated. Administration of BW1003C87 did not affect the rectal temperature of the rats. Post-treatment with BW1003C87 (10-30 mg/kg) offered no neuroprotection in this model. In conclusion, there was a neuroprotective effect from pre- but not post-treatment with BW1003C87 in this model, supporting the concept that intra-ischemic excitatory amino acid release is important for development of brain damage. The lack of post-treatment effect indicates that BW1003C87 did not attenuate deleterious EAA cycling during reflow in the neonatal brain.

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Changes in c-fos mRNA in the neonatal rat brain following hypoxic ischemia.

We used quantitative in situ hybridization to study changes in the expression of c-fos following hypoxic-ischemia (H-I) in the neonatal rat brain. 7-day-old rat pups were subjected to a unilateral ligation of the common carotid artery followed by a 2 h 15 min hypoxic period (7.7% O2 in N2). This resulted in the expected ipsilateral infarction of cortex, lateral hippocampus, lateral-superior aspects of the striatum and the white matter of the corpus callosum. Brain damage was not seen in the contralateral hemisphere subjected only to hypoxia. c-fos mRNA levels increased in the contralateral hemisphere immediately after the hypoxia and had returned towards normal levels 2 h thereafter. In the ipsilateral hemisphere, the expression of c-fos was delayed but very marked at 2 h. Animals subjected only to hypoxia showed little or no increase in c-fos mRNA. Thus the earliest recorded increase in c-fos after hypoxic ischemia, which occurred on the non-ischemic, contralateral side, may represent a generalized response to a more localized insult.

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