BACKGROUND: Among its behavioral actions, progesterone reduces anxiety in several species including humans; however, any antidepressant-like properties remain to be explored. METHODS: In the present study, Wistar rats received injections (i.p.) of progesterone (0.20-3.0 mg/kg) 24 and 2 h before being submitted to the forced swim, a test in which antidepressants regularly reduce immobility and exert few or no actions on locomotor activity. In order to discard the cumulative effects of progesterone and a possible effect from the repetition of the swimming test, all animals received one of several progesterone doses in a different sequence following a completely randomized experimental intrasubject design. RESULTS: Ovariectomy did not modify immobility in the forced swim test as compared to control tests practiced before surgery. A dose of 0.80 mg/kg strongly reduced the total time of immobility in forced swim test (p < 0.001), but did not modify locomotor activity. In a drug-free control test applied 1 week after the last injection of progesterone, immobility returned to the higher values observed in the control tests. CONCLUSIONS: From these results, it is concluded that progesterone may possess some anti-depressant-like activity.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Calcinosis cutis following calcium chloride electrode paste application for auditory-brainstem evoked potentials recording.

Circumscribed calcification in the dermis (calcinosis cutis) has been reported following electroencephalographic and electromyographic studies at sites of electrode placement following application of an electrode paste containing calcium chloride. Prolonged exposure and skin microabrasions seem to increase the risk of this rare complication of electrode placement, which has not been previously reported following auditory brainstem evoked potential recordings. We report the appearance of localized dermal calcifications at the sites of electrode placement (forehead and retroauricular areas) following auditory brainstem evoked potential recordings in two children, aged 3 and 2 years, respectively. In both cases the electrodes were applied after gentle scrubbing with an ethanol-impregnated gauze and interposition of a calcium chloride bentonite magma paste. The recording took about 1 hour. Erythematous macules and plaques ranging from 4 to 12 mm in diameter, studded with small stony excrescences, appeared at the areas of electrode application 1 and 5 days later, respectively. Histopathologic study of 4 mm punch biopsy specimens showed amorphous dermal deposits of calcium salts. There was superficial ulceration and transepidermal elimination of the calcium deposits, as well as a foreign body tissue reaction in the surrounding dermis. In both patients small stony pellets were extruded during the healing process, which took 11 and 9 weeks, respectively, and left no scars.

Calcinosis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Young people in Bogota, Colombia develop their own strategies to prevent risky sexual behavior.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Cigarette smoking and its relation to pregnancy and lactation in Arica (Chile)].

Cigarette smoker and non smoker mothers from Africa, Chile, were followed along pregnancy and lactation and the influence of cigarette smoking on infant's birth weight and length of lactation was assessed from a sample of 240 pregnant women, 87 (36.3%) of them were actively smoking mothers and 33 among these (37.9%) smoked throughout all pregnancy and lactation. Mothers who smoked along lactation showed significantly shorter exclusive breast feeding time (2.6 month) in comparison with non smokers (3.5 month, p < 0.05) and their total lactation time was also reduced (4.2 vs. 5.3 months respectively, p < 0.01).

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Numerical taxonomy of staphylococci isolated from water and beach sand from Valparaíso and viña del Mar, Chile].

A total of 85 strains of Gram positive cocci isolated from beach water and sand located in Valparaiso bay, and Viña del Mar, Chile, were examined for 59 morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics. The taxonomic data were analysed by numerical taxonomy using Ssm coefficient and the Unweighted Pair Group Method of Association (UPGMA). At 80% similarity level, four phenons were obtained. Of the 85 strains 31% were classified as Staphylococcus epidermidis, 9% were classified as Staphylococcus haemolyticus, 36% were classified as Staphylococcus spp. and 24% as Staphylococcus aureus. Epidemiological considerations are made in relation with the probable impact that the isolation of Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase negative Staphylococci would have on the health of the population.

Chile↗