Methodologic Issues in the Measurement of Oxytocin in Human Neonates

1998 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosemary White-Traut ◽  
Jean Powlesland ◽  
Deborah Gelhar ◽  
Robert Chatterton ◽  
Mariana Morris
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Behavior ◽  
Reliable Method ◽  
Human Infant ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Human Infants ◽  
Human Newborn ◽  
Tactile Contact ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Baseline Levels ◽  
Human Neonates

Oxytocin’s (OT) role in the onset and maintenance of labor and in the letdown reflex is well known. OT also has been recognized as a neurotransmitter having functions in the central nervous system, including an influence on behavior (e.g., initiation of maternal behavior). This research was conducted to (1) evaluate whether human tactile contact in the human newborn would increase urine OT levels and alter infant behavioral state, and (2) determine the reliability of measuring OT in human infant urine. Although the data did not support the hypotheses, it was noted that OT levels, significantly decreased in infants who cried during the study period and that there was no correlation between infant’s chronologic age and OT levels. The findings illustrate several methodologic and measurement problems in the study of OT in human infants and that urine sampling in the neonate is not the most reliable method to evaluate change in OT levels. Some general issues concerning research with human infants also are discussed. Further research is recommended to document baseline levels of OT in neonates and to explore the use of salivary OT to measure short-term responses to interventions.

Effect of Application Force on Noninvasive Measurements of Intracranial Pressure

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 455-457
Author(s):  
Jeffrey D. Horbar ◽  
Scott Yeager ◽  
Alistair G. S. Philip ◽  
Jerold F. Lucey
Keyword(s):  
Intracranial Pressure ◽  
Human Infant ◽  
Anterior Fontanel ◽  
Human Infants ◽  
Csf Pressure ◽  
Sensor Application ◽  
Noninvasive Measurements ◽  
Human Newborn ◽  
Direct Measurements ◽  
Fiberoptic Sensor

Application of the Ladd fiberoptic sensor to the anterior fontanel of the human newborn has been used as a method for monitoring intracranial pressure noninvasively. This study measures the effect of varying the force with which the sensor is applied to the fontanel. The Ladd sensor readings of five preterm human infants were continuously monitored while sensor application force was increased in a stepwise manner. The Ladd sensor readings for each infant varied with the force applied. In one infant sensor application was gradually increased while direct measurements of lumbar CSF pressure were made. Ladd sensor readings in this infant increased with increasing application force, while lumbar CSF pressure remained unchanged. It is concluded that readings obtained with the Ladd sensor applied to the anterior fontanel of the human infant depend on the force with which the sensor is applied. The effect of application force must be taken into account if noninvasive measurements of intracranial pressure are to be made with the Ladd device.

Reconstruction of the glenoid using autologous bone-graft and the SMR Axioma TT metal-backed prosthesis

2018 ◽  
Vol 100-B (12) ◽  
pp. 1609-1617 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Malhas ◽  
J. Granville-Chapman ◽  
P. M. Robinson ◽  
S. Brookes-Fazakerley ◽  
M. Walton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Graft ◽  
Reliable Method ◽  
Titanium Surface ◽  
Bone Defects ◽  
Autologous Bone Graft ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Bone Deficiency ◽  
Autologous Bone ◽  
Shoulder Arthroplasties

Aims We present our experience of using a metal-backed prosthesis and autologous bone graft to treat gross glenoid bone deficiency. Patients and Methods A prospective cohort study of the first 45 shoulder arthroplasties using the SMR Axioma Trabecular Titanium (TT) metal-backed glenoid with autologous bone graft. Between May 2013 and December 2014, 45 shoulder arthroplasties were carried out in 44 patients with a mean age of 64 years (35 to 89). The indications were 23 complex primary arthroplasties, 12 to revise a hemiarthroplasty or resurfacing, five for aseptic loosening of the glenoid, and five for infection. Results Of the 45 patients, 16 had anatomical shoulder arthroplasties (ASA) and 29 had reverse shoulder arthroplasties (RSA). Postoperatively, 43/45 patients had a CT scan. In 41 of 43 patients (95%), the glenoid peg achieved > 50% integration. In 40 of 43 cases (93%), the graft was fully or partially integrated. There were seven revisions (16%) but only four (9%) required a change of baseplate. Four (25%) of the 16 ASAs were revised for instability or cuff failure. At two-year radiological follow-up, five of the 41 cases (11%) showed some evidence of lucent lines. Conclusion The use of a metal baseplate with a trabecular titanium surface in conjunction with autologous bone graft is a reliable method of addressing glenoid bone defects in primary and revision RSA setting in the short term. ASAs have a higher rate of complications with this technique.

scholarly journals Efficacy of cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy in the treatment of chronic fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis – a literature review

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-40
Author(s):  
Justyna Wiśniowska ◽  
◽  
Kamilla Puławska ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Research Groups ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Behavioural Model ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Specific Factors

Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms seen in patients with multiple sclerosis. Cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy can be a non-pharmacological approach for these patients. Van Kessel and Moss-Morris developed a cognitive-behavioural model to explain multiple sclerosis-related fatigue (2006). According to this model, inflammatory and demyelinating factors present in the central nervous system trigger fatigue, while cognitive interpretation, anxiety, or depressive symptoms and resting lifestyle are maintaining factors. Based on the cognitive-behavioural model of fatigue in multiple sclerosis, a protocol encompassing 8 treatment sessions was developed. For over 10 years, studies have been conducted to verify the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy in the treatment of fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis. The so far obtained results show that cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy has a moderate short-term effect on reducing fatigue, while the effect size in the long-term is small. The obtained results were undoubtedly influenced by several factors: the heterogeneity of the procedures used, the size of the research groups, and the large number of disease-related intermediary variables. Further research should be conducted to identify specific factors responsible for the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy in the treatment of fatigue and to assess the long-term effects of therapy.

Kernicterus in Rats with an Inherited Deficiency of Glucuronyal Transferase

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1959 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-73
Keyword(s):  
Binding Sites ◽  
Renal Excretion ◽  
Practical Importance ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Human Infants ◽  
Toxic Agent ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Comprehensive Study

Aside from the great theoretic interest, the experiments described in this paper have considerable practical importance in providing a means of studying the efficacy of treatments designed to prevent kernicterus. A comprehensive study of a strain of rats (the Gunn strain) which have a hereditary deficiency of the enzyme required to conjugate bilirubin, and thus develope jaundice due to increased concentration of unconjugated bilirubin in the blood and tissues. The rats developed kernicterus which was apparently identical with that seen in human beings and is the only example of kernicterus in animals that fulfills rigid criteria outlined by the authors. Extensive data on the natural history of the bilirubinemia and development of kernicterus in the rats, as determined by chemical and pathologic techniques, are provided. Bilirubin itself is incriminated as the toxic agent producing the characteristic changes in the brain in kernicterus. Sulfonamides were found to augment the toxic effects of bilirubin, apparently because of competition between bilirubin and sulfonamides for binding sites on serum albumin. Neither infection nor hypoxia appeared to aggravate the effects of bilirubin. Administration of sodium glucuronate to jaundiced rats was followed by a decrease in bilirubin in the serum which at times exceeded 50%. This was not accompanied by any postponement of the onset of signs of damage to the central nervous system and did not prevent development of kernicterus. It appeared that the decrease in bilirubin in the serum may have resulted from an increased transferral to tissues rather than elimination through renal excretion. On the basis of the knowledge of this strain of rats, it should be possible to explore the usefulness of proposed therapeutic regimens in the experimental animal without jeopardizing the course of human infants who might be successfully treated with exchange transfusion pending the discovery of a more satisfactory therapy.

Inhibitory effect of an intellectual task on breathing after voluntary hyperventilation

1996 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 1379-1387 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Chin ◽  
M. Ohi ◽  
M. Fukui ◽  
H. Kita ◽  
T. Tsuboi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Video Game ◽  
Minute Ventilation ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Inspiratory Flow Rate ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Voluntary Hyperventilation ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Increased Activity

We investigated the effects of an intellectual task on posthyperventilation (PHV) breathing by using a video game. Eight normal subjects were placed in a supine positions. The game task by itself led to increase ventilation compared with the control tasks via an increase in the average inspiratory flow rate (P < 0.01) and the respiratory frequency (P < 0.001). After hypocapnic voluntary hyperventilation (VHV), the task led to a decrease in the 1-min PHV breathing level compared with the control tasks after VHV [after VHV, first 60 s average minute ventilation while watching television and while playing a video game are 5.54 +/- 2.91 (SD) and 2.05 +/- 1.40 l/min, respectively; P < 0.01]. Only one subject showed PHV apnea for at least 10 s during the control protocol, whereas seven of the same eight subjects showed PHV apnea while performing the task. After isocapnic VHV, the task still led to a decrease in PHV breathing compared with the control tasks. However, this decrease was smaller than in the hypocapnic studies and was only significant during the first 15 s of recovery. These results suggest that increased activity in the higher centers of the central nervous system has an inhibitory effect on PHV breathing at a time when the effects of short-term potentiation after VHV, hypocapnia, and perhaps other mechanisms would be expected to be acting on breathing.

Differential selectivity of cardiac neurons in separate intrathoracic autonomic ganglia

1998 ◽  
Vol 274 (4) ◽  
pp. R939-R949 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Armour ◽  
K. Collier ◽  
G. Kember ◽  
J. L. Ardell
Keyword(s):  
Short Term ◽  
Cardiac Ganglia ◽  
Intrinsic Cardiac Ganglia ◽  
Cervical Ganglion ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Cardiac Regulation ◽  
Afferent Inputs ◽  
Chemical Stimuli ◽  
Differential Selectivity ◽  
Ganglion Neurons

Analyses of activity generated by neurons in middle cervical or stellate ganglia versus intrinsic cardiac ganglia were performed to determine how neurons in different intrathoracic ganglia, which are involved in cardiac regulation, interact. Discharges of 19% of intrathoracic extracardiac neurons and 32% of intrinsic cardiac neurons were related to cardiodynamics. Epicardial touch increased the activity generated by ∼80% of intrinsic cardiac neurons and ∼60% of extracardiac neurons. Both populations responded similarly to epicardial chemical stimuli. Activity generated by neurons in intrinsic cardiac ganglia demonstrated no consistent short-term relationships to neurons in extracardiac ganglia. Myocardial ischemia influenced extracardiac and intrinsic cardiac neurons similarly. Carotid artery baroreceptors influenced neurons in ipsilateral extracardiac ganglia. After decentralization from the central nervous system, intrinsic cardiac neurons received afferent inputs primarily from cardiac chemosensitive neurites, whereas middle cervical ganglion neurons received afferent inputs primarily from cardiac mechanosensory neurites. It is concluded that the populations of neurons in different intrathoracic ganglia can display differential reflex control of cardiac function. Their redundancy in function and noncoupled behavior minimizes cardiac dependency on a single population of intrathoracic neurons.

scholarly journals Episodic Ultradian Events—Ultradian Rhythms

Biology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace Goh ◽  
Shane Maloney ◽  
Peter Mark ◽  
Dominique Blache
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Biological Functions ◽  
Ultradian Rhythms ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Modern Biology ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Unicellular Organisms ◽  
Fast Lane

In the fast lane of chronobiology, ultradian events are short-term rhythms that have been observed since the beginning of modern biology and were quantified about a century ago. They are ubiquitous in all biological systems and found in all organisms, from unicellular organisms to mammals, and from single cells to complex biological functions in multicellular animals. Since these events are aperiodic and last for a few minutes to a few hours, they are better classified as episodic ultradian events (EUEs). Their origin is unclear. However, they could have a molecular basis and could be controlled by hormonal inputs—in vertebrates, they originate from the activity of the central nervous system. EUEs are receiving increasing attention but their aperiodic nature requires specific sampling and analytic tools. While longer scale rhythms are adaptations to predictable changes in the environment, in theory, EUEs could contribute to adaptation by preparing organisms and biological functions for unpredictability.

Interleukin-8 modulates feeding by direct action in the central nervous system

1993 ◽  
Vol 265 (4) ◽  
pp. R877-R882 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. R. Plata-Salaman ◽  
J. P. Borkoski
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Direct Action ◽  
Intraperitoneal Administration ◽  
Interleukin 8 ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Lipopolysaccharide Endotoxin ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Necrosis Factor

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is released in response to infection, inflammation, and trauma. The most important stimuli for IL-8 release during these pathological processes are IL-1, tumor necrosis factor, and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin), factors that have been shown to suppress feeding. In the present study, the participation of IL-8 on the central regulation of feeding was investigated. Intracerebroventricular (icv) microinfusion of recombinant human IL-8 (rhIL-8, 1.0-100 ng/rat) suppressed the short-term (2-h) food intake. The most effective dose of rhIL-8, 20 ng, decreased 2-h food intake by 25% and nighttime food intake by 23%. Intracerebroventricular microinfusion of anti-rhIL-8 antibody (200 and 500 ng) blocked the effect of 20 ng rhIL-8 on 2-h and nighttime food intakes. Computerized analysis of behavioral patterns for the 2-h period demonstrated a specific reduction of meal size (by 33%), whereas meal frequency and meal duration were not affected after the icv microinfusion of 20 ng rhIL-8. This short-term food intake suppression by icv rhIL-8 was accompanied by a small, but significant, increase in cerebrospinal fluid-brain and rectal temperatures. Intraperitoneal administration of rhIL-8 in doses equivalent to those administered centrally had no effect on food intake. The results suggest that IL-8 acts directly in the central nervous system to decrease feeding. This effect of IL-8 may contribute to the food intake suppression frequently accompanying pathological processes.

scholarly journals Heterotrimeric G Proteins of the Gq/11 Family Are Crucial for the Induction of Maternal Behavior in Mice

2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (18) ◽  
pp. 8048-8054 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Wettschureck ◽  
Alexandra Moers ◽  
Tuula Hamalainen ◽  
Thomas Lemberger ◽  
Günther Schütz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
G Proteins ◽  
Maternal Behavior ◽  
Motor Behavior ◽  
Oxytocin Receptor ◽  
Lateral Septum ◽  
Heterotrimeric G Proteins ◽  
Bed Nucleus ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Gland Function

ABSTRACT Heterotrimeric G proteins of the Gq/11 family transduce signals from a variety of neurotransmitter receptors and have therefore been implicated in several functions of the central nervous system. To investigate the potential role of Gq/11 signaling in behavior, we generated mice which lack the α-subunits of the two main members of the Gq/11 family, Gαq and Gα11, selectively in the forebrain. We show here that forebrain Gαq/11-deficient females do not display any maternal behavior such as nest building, pup retrieving, crouching, or nursing. However, olfaction, motor behavior and mammary gland function are normal in forebrain Gαq/11-deficient females. We used c-fos immunohistochemistry to investigate pup-induced neuronal activation in different forebrain regions and found a significant reduction in the medial preoptic area, the bed nucleus of stria terminalis, and the lateral septum both in postpartum females and in virgin females after foster pup exposure. Pituitary function, especially prolactin release, was normal in forebrain Gαq/11-deficient females, and activation of oxytocin receptor-positive neurons in the hypothalamus did not differ between genotypes. Our findings show that Gq/11 signaling is indispensable to the neuronal circuit that connects the perception of pup-related stimuli to the initiation of maternal behavior and that this defect cannot be attributed to either reduced systemic prolactin levels or impaired activation of oxytocin receptor-positive neurons of the hypothalamus.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document