Rat 50 kHz Trill Calls Are Tied to the Expectation of Social Interaction

Rats emit a variety of calls in the 40–80 kHz range (50 kHz calls). While these calls are generally associated with positive affect, it is unclear whether certain calls might be used selectively in certain contexts. To examine this, we looked at ultrasonic calls in 30–40 day old male rats during the expectation of either play or food, both of which are reinforcing. Behavior and vocalizations were recorded while rats were in a test chamber awaiting the arrival of a play partner or food over seven days of testing. Control groups were included for the non-specific effects of food deprivation and social isolation. Play reward led to an increase in 50 kHz vocalizations, generally, with specific increases in trill and “trill with jump” calls not seen in other groups. Expectation of food reward did not lead to a significant increase in vocalizations of any type, perhaps due to the young age of our study group. Further, rats that were food deprived for the food expectation study showed markedly lower calls overall and had a different profile of call types compared to rats that were socially isolated. Taken together, the results suggest that trill-associated calls may be used selectively when rats are socially isolated and/or expecting a social encounter.

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Radiological Parameters Review for Choanal Atresia

Pediatric Reports ◽

10.3390/pediatric13020038 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 302-311

Author(s):

Daniela Messineo ◽

Maryia Chernikava ◽

Valeria Pasquali ◽

Serena Bertin ◽

Mario Ciotti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Study ◽

High Resolution ◽

Surgical Approach ◽

Choanal Atresia ◽

Point Of View ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Control Groups ◽

Imaging Parameters ◽

Multiplanar Imaging

(1) Background: The study aims to identify which imaging parameters are necessary for a new correct surgical approach in the study of choanal atresia, and which anatomical findings are essential for correct planning of endoscopic treatment in choanal atresia. (2) Methods: In this retrospective study, 19 patients with choanal atresia had high-resolution multiplanar imaging (14 cases aged ≤1 year and 5 cases aged 1 to 3 years) and 35 patients in the control group similarly distributed by age. Fourteen variables, the most relevant from a surgical point of view, were selected and measured. A comparison was made between the averages of the study group and the different control groups, either directly observed or selected from the literature, using Pearson’s correlation. (3) Results: In 14 out of 26 cases, the differences were statistically significant. There was a correlation between the structures assessed, such as choanal height, rostrum height, and age. (4) Conclusions: Thanks to volumetric reformatting, this work identified and provided the clinician with useful information that helped choose the correct surgical approach. Furthermore, it focused on which imaging parameters are necessary to improve the planning of the surgical correction of choanal atresia.

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Successful Transitions to Remote Assessments and Technology Installations due to COVID-19: The I-CONECT Project

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.3502 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 958-958

Author(s):

Khoa Nguyen ◽

Mattie McDonald ◽

Colton Scavone ◽

Nora Mattek ◽

Jeffrey Kaye ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Interaction ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Controlled Clinical Trial ◽

Cognitive Assessments ◽

Video Chat ◽

Remote Assessment ◽

Study Population ◽

Support Team ◽

Socially Isolated ◽

The Impact

Abstract I-CONECT is a randomized controlled clinical trial to examine the impact of social interaction delivered via video-chat on cognitive function (clinicaltrials.gov number: NCT02871921, project website: www.I-CONECT.org ). We aimed to enroll 320 community-dwelling socially isolated older adults (age >=75 years). The recruitment of participants has started in 2018 and was ongoing when COVID-19 pandemic began. Video chat and telephone-based social interaction interventions did not change during COVID-19. However, new recruitment and cognitive assessments, which require in-person contact and deployment and retrieval of video chat devices in participant homes, were suspended due to the nature of our study population (i.e., older age, higher likelihood of comorbidities). Recently we were able to successfully switch to complete remote assessments including 1) telephone-based cognitive assessments using T-COG (Telephone Cognitive Assessment battery), and 2) contactless delivery of our study devices (Chrome books and electronic pill boxes) for subject self-installation. Our creative approach to self-installations includes color coded pictures and an easy-to-follow installation manual, accompanied by remote instruction and support via telephone. This poster introduces our remote assessment and installation protocol and participant and technical support team feedback regarding this new contactless protocol. This presentation provides useful guidance for future studies considering completely remote assessment and telemedicine approaches.

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Sonographic Signs of Adenomyosis in Women with Endometriosis Are Associated with Infertility

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10112355 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 2355

Author(s):

Dean Decter ◽

Nissim Arbib ◽

Hila Markovitz ◽

Daniel S. Seidman ◽

Vered H. Eisenberg

Keyword(s):

Laparoscopic Surgery ◽

Retrospective Study ◽

Statistical Analysis ◽

Conservative Management ◽

Transvaginal Ultrasound ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Control Groups ◽

Increased Risk ◽

And Control

We compared the prevalence of ultrasound signs of adenomyosis in women with endometriosis who underwent surgery to those who were managed conservatively. This was a retrospective study of women evaluated at a tertiary endometriosis referral center who underwent 2D/3D transvaginal ultrasound. Adenomyosis diagnosis was based on the presence of at least three sonographic signs. The study group subsequently underwent laparoscopic surgery while the control group continued conservative management. Statistical analysis compared the two groups for demographics, symptoms, clinical data, and sonographic findings. The study and control groups included 244 and 158 women, respectively. The presence of any, 3+, or 5+ sonographic signs of adenomyosis was significantly more prevalent in the study group (OR = 1.93–2.7, p < 0.004, 95% CI; 1.24–4.09). After controlling for age, for all findings but linear striations, the OR for having a specific feature was higher in the study group. Women in the study group with ≥ 5 sonographic signs of adenomyosis had more than twice the risk of experiencing infertility (OR = 2.31, p = 0.012, 95% CI; 1.20–4.45). Sonographic signs of adenomyosis are more prevalent in women with symptomatic endometriosis who underwent surgery compared with those who continued conservative management. Women with 5+ findings have a significantly increased risk of infertility. Adenomyosis on ultrasound should be considered in the management decisions regarding these patients.

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Central oxytocin signaling inhibits food reward-motivated behaviors and VTA dopamine responses to food-predictive cues in male rats

Hormones and Behavior ◽

10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104855 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 126 ◽

pp. 104855

Author(s):

Clarissa M. Liu ◽

Ted M. Hsu ◽

Andrea N. Suarez ◽

Keshav S. Subramanian ◽

Ryan A. Fatemi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Reward ◽

Male Rats ◽

Motivated Behaviors

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Disruption of sexual behavior in socially isolated adult male rats

Behavioral and Neural Biology ◽

10.1016/s0163-1047(82)91610-7 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 34 (2) ◽

pp. 215-220 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Kathleen C. Chambers ◽

Cord B. Sengstake ◽

Anne M. Walther ◽

Judith E. Bullis

Keyword(s):

Sexual Behavior ◽

Adult Male ◽

Male Rats ◽

Socially Isolated

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Comparative study of the areas of osteochondral defects produced in the femoral condyles of rabbits treated with gel of sugarcane biopolymer

Acta Cirurgica Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0102-86502011000500010 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 26 (5) ◽

pp. 383-386 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Paulo Cezar Vidal Carneiro de Albuquerque ◽

José Lamartine de Andrade Aguiar ◽

Saulo Monteiro dos Santos ◽

Nicodemus Pontes Filho ◽

Roberto José Vieira de Mello ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sugar Cane ◽

Digital Camera ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Osteochondral Defects ◽

Control Groups ◽

The Right ◽

And Control ◽

Natural Healing ◽

Femoral Condyles

PURPOSE: To measure the healed areas of osteochondral defects produced in femoral condyles of rabbits filled with biopolymer sugar cane gel and to compare these with those of the control group at 90, 120 and 180 days. METHODS: A study was made of 16 New Zealand rabbits, 6 and 7 months old, weighing between 2 and 2.5 kg. Defects of 3.2 x 4 mm were made, with trephine, in the femoral condyles of the right and left knees. As to the study group defects of the medial and lateral condyles of the right knee were used which were filled with Biopolymer Sugar Cane Gel; as to the Control Group defects of the medial and lateral condyles of the left t knees were used which were left open for natural healing. The defects were analyzed at 90, 120 and 180 days after surgery. After euthanasia, the knees were removed and fixed in Bouin's solution for later digital photographic documentation with a digital camera. The areas healed were measured in both the study and control groups using the images obtained from an Image-J® program. Statistical analysis was conducted using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the means of the healed areas in the study and control groups at 90, 120 and 180 days after surgery. CONCLUSION: The dimension of the healed areas of the defects treated with the biopolymer sugar-cane gel in the study group was similar to those of the control group, which healed naturally.

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Common and specific effects of the two major forms of prolactin in the rat testis

AJP Endocrinology and Metabolism ◽

10.1152/ajpendo.00541.2007 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 293 (6) ◽

pp. E1795-E1803 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Valencia L. Williams ◽

Ariel DeGuzman ◽

Hong Dang ◽

Mitsumori Kawaminami ◽

Timothy W. C. Ho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Luteinizing Hormone ◽

Fas Ligand ◽

Regulatory Protein ◽

Specific Effect ◽

Serum Testosterone ◽

Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase ◽

Luteinizing Hormone Receptor ◽

Male Rats ◽

Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase ◽

Specific Effects

Prolactin (PRL) has both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on testicular function, a finding we hypothesized may be related in some part to the form of the hormone present or administered. In the analysis of the pituitary secretion profiles of early pubescent vs. mature male rats, we found PRL released from early pubescent pituitaries had about twice the degree of phosphorylation. Treatment of mature males with either unmodified PRL (U-PRL) or phosphorylated PRL (via the molecular mimic S179D PRL) for a period of 4 wk (circulating level of ∼50 ng/ml) showed serum testosterone decreased by ∼35% only by treatment with the phospho-mimic S179D PRL. Given the specificity of this effect, it was initially surprising that both forms of PRL decreased testicular expression of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein. Both forms also increased expression of the luteinizing hormone receptor, but only S179D PRL increased the ratio of short to long PRL receptors. Endogenous PRL and luteinizing hormone levels were unchanged in all groups in this time frame, suggesting that effects on steroidogenic gene expression were directly on the testis. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling analysis combined with staining for 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and morphometric analysis showed that S179D PRL, but not U-PRL, increased apoptosis of Leydig cells, a finding supported by increased staining for Fas and Fas ligand in the testicular interstitium, providing an explanation for the specific effect on testosterone. S179D PRL, but not U-PRL, also increased apoptosis of primary spermatogonia, and U-PRL, but not S179D PRL, decreased apoptosis of elongating spermatids. Thus, in mature males, hyperprolactinemic levels of both forms of PRL have common effects on steroidogenic proteins, but specific effects on the apoptosis of Leydig and germ cells.

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Dopamine D1 or D2 antagonists enhance inhibition of consummatory ingestive behavior by CCK-8

AJP Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpregu.1995.269.4.r896 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 269 (4) ◽

pp. R896-R903 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

I. Bednar ◽

H. Carrer ◽

G. A. Qureshi ◽

P. Sodersten

Keyword(s):

Inhibitory Effect ◽

D2 Receptors ◽

Skf 38393 ◽

Ingestive Behavior ◽

Male Rats ◽

Sch 39166 ◽

D1 And D2 Receptors ◽

Specific Effects ◽

Ly 171555 ◽

D2 Antagonists

A dopamine D1 (SKF-38393, 1 mg)- or D2 (LY-171555, 0.1 mg)-receptor agonist inhibited intake of an intraorally infused solution of sucrose by male rats, a test of consummatory ingestive behavior. Treatment with a D1 (SCH-39166, 0.1 mg) or D2 (raclopride, 0.6 mg) antagonist reversed inhibition by the respective agonist but enhanced the inhibitory effect of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8; 1.8 micrograms). It was not possible to demonstrate specific effects of D1 and D2 agonists on intake of pellets, a test that does not discriminate consummatory ingestive behavior from appetitive ingestive behavior, i.e., behavior used to obtain food. The results demonstrate specific involvement of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in inhibition of consummatory ingestive behavior.

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Dyspnoea and Thoracic Spinal Deformation in Rats after Oral Prizidilol (SK&F 92657-A2)

Human Toxicology ◽

10.1177/096032718600500306 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 183-187 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

T. J. Sutton ◽

A. J. Darby ◽

P. Johnson ◽

G. B. Leslie ◽

T. F. Walker

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽

Drug Effects ◽

Male Rats ◽

Thoracic Cavity ◽

Control Groups ◽

Thoracic Spinal ◽

Spinal Lesion ◽

Second Year ◽

And Control ◽

Body Damage

Prizidilol (SK&F 92657-A2), an anti-hypertensive agent, has undergone a range of prescribed toxicity studies required for the investigation of possible adverse drug effects. During the second year of the 2-year rat oral study, a variety of symptoms were exhibited by males receiving 1600 mg of the compound day–1kg–1 by gavage. These animals became lethargic, slouched and developed dyspnoea which became progressively more severe during the course of the study. Necropsy of the affected rats revealed severely haemorrhagic lungs, cardiac hypertrophy and lordosis of the spine into the thoracic cavity. At the 2-year terminal kill, a proportion of the male rats receiving 100 and 400 mg of prizidilol day–1kg–1 were identified with similar but less severe spinal deformation. No female was found with spinal changes but all the rats receiving prizidilol showed haemorrhagic lungs and enlarged hearts. The lordosis of the affected males was always confined to the thoracic spine and this, along with the cardiac hypertrophy, presumably led to marked reduction in the volume of the thoracic cavity, inducing the dyspnoea. Thoracic vertebral body damage, possibly a precursor to the spinal deformities, was found in male rats from both drug-treated and control groups. The nature of the spinal lesion is at present under investigation.

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