\n\nResults: OT induces a general sense of well-being including calm, improved social interactions, increased trust, and reduced fear as well as endocrine and physiological changes. Selleckchem VX-661 Some central effects of OT are temporary and its release is associated with induction of secondary biochemical actions which mediate long-term benefits including blood pressure reduction, calm and affiliative behavior. As OT release is augmented by touch and physiological support so the hormone is involved in both the cause and benefits of social interactions. Just as OT has widespread effects in factors encompassing well-being, its dysfunction is associated

with morbidity and decreased quality of life as observed neuropsychiatric conditions such as autism, schizophrenia and social AZD1480 in vivo phobias.\n\nConclusions: Oxytocin (OT) is of potential use in enhancing interpersonal and individual wellbeing, and might have more applications in neuropsychiatric disorders especially those characterized by persistent fear, repetitive behavior, reduced

trust and avoidance of social interactions. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Wound healing and tissue regeneration are essential mechanisms to ensure the survival and health of any organism. Despite this, only a few studies have been devoted to study tissue regeneration during wound healing in fish. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), in particular hydrogen peroxide, play an important dual role NVP-HSP990 inhibitor both for promoting tissue repair, but also for eradication of pathogens. This study aims at dissecting the contribution of PAMPs (using beta-glucan) and DAMPs in the respiratory

burst response of carp head kidney-derived leukocytes, and address their contribution to wound healing processes. Consistent with a pathogen eradication strategy, ROS responses to PAMP stimulation (beta-glucan) was fast, vigorous and highly dominated by production of superoxide anion. In contrast, stimulation with DAMPs led to a slow, subtle but long-lasting production of oxygen radicals dominated by hydrogen peroxide. Using an in vitro model of scratch-wounded CCB fibroblast cell cultures and a novel PhotoID proliferation assay, stimulation with low and continuous levels of hydrogen peroxide (5 mu M) led to a slight increase in the percentage of wound recovery and thus promoted wound closure. In contrast, high doses of hydrogen peroxide (300 mu M) impaired fibroblast scratch-wound recovery and caused cell death. These results elucidate the capacity of hydrogen peroxide to influence the fate of tissue regeneration through the establishment of environments suitable for promoting either tissue regeneration or oxidative stress and thereby potential tissue damage.