Modulation of prostaglandin synthesis in rat peritoneal macrophages with ω-3 fatty acids

In view of the findings that ω3 fatty acids inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins (PG) from arachidonic acid (20∶4ω6) and that among immunologically active cells, the macrophage, is a major producer of PG, we undertook a study of the effect of dietary α-linolenic acid (18∶3ω3) on PG synthesis in the macrophage. Rats were fed purified diets containing either 10% corn oil (CO) or linseed oil (LO), providing either a low (1/32) or high (3.5/1) ratio of 18∶3ω3 to 18∶2ω6, respectively, for 6 weeks. Fatty acid analysis of macrophage phospholipids showed that there was an appreciable increase in the percentage of ω3 fatty acids and a decrease in the ω6 fatty acids in macrophages from rats fed the LO diet. The changes in fatty acid composition were associated with a significant decrease in the synthesis of prostaglandin E (PGE) by macrophages from rats fed the LO diet. Macrophages from rats fed the 2 dietary, oils did not differ in their ability to degrade PG, thus the difference in PG production appeared to be a consequence of decreased synthesis only. The dietarily induced changes in PGE synthesis were readily overcome in vitro by culturing macrophages with complexes of fat-free bovine serum albumin and either 20∶4ω6 or 20∶5ω3. Part of a dissertation submitted by Linda J. Magrum in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree in Nutritional Sciences. Honored Student Presentation at the AOCS 74th Annual Meeting, Chicago, 1983.     

University-based continuing education and mental health system change.

Describes how a continuing education program successfully effected a change in the organized mental health services in a large metropolitan area. The principles, goals, and outcomes of a program oriented toward mental health system change and using community organization interventions are reported and discussed. Comparisons are made with traditional individually oriented continuing education programs. Mental health professionals were trained in program consultation to community care facilities serving chronic mental patients, and attempts were made to have such consultations incorporated into the organized service delivery systems. It is concluded that university-based continuing education can be a major stimulus and have a major impact on organized mental health delivery systems. (6 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Lung lipid synthesis from acetoacetate and glucose in developing rats in vitro

Acetoacetate (AcAc) and glucose were compared as energy sources and as precursors for lipid synthesis in the lungs of developing rats. Minced lung tissue was incubated with [3-14C]AcAc or [U-14C]glucose and the oxidation of each substrate to CO2 or its incorporation into tissue lipids was quantified. The highest rates of oxidation were obtained during the first 5 days for AcAc and the first 2 days of life for glucose and oxidation of AcAc was 3-4 times greater than that of glucose at all ages. Throughout postnatal development, the rates of nonsaponifiable lipid, fatty acid and hence total lipid (chloroform/methanol extractable) synthesis from AcAc were 2-3 times those of glucose. The highest rates of total lipid synthesis from AcAc and glucose were observed at birth. Glucose was utilized for glyceride-glycerol synthesis at a higher rate than AcAc. Similar patterns of incorporation of AcAc and glucose into various lipid classes were noted. Of the total lipids synthesized from AcAc and glucose, respectively, phospholipid plus monoglyceride accounted for 64% and 77%, triglyceride 13% and 13%, diglyceride plus cholesterol 11% and 4%, fatty acids 9% and 4%, and cholesteryl esters 3% and 1%. AT birth, the specific activities of all lipids except triglyceride derived from AcAc were greater than those from glucose. Rates of synthesis of all complex lipids declined with age. The results of these experiments demonstrate that AcAc is utilized more readily than glucose for energy production and lipid synthesis in developing rat lungs.     

Fingerprinting and characterization of carboxylic acids in in-situ oil shale retort and process waters by capillary column gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Six important in-situ oil shale retort and process waters have been analysed for carboxylic acids by capillary column gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A fingerprint or profile was obtained for Occidental boiler blowdown process water, retort water and heater-treater process water; Geokinetics retort water, and Laramie Energy Technology Center Omega-9 and 150 Ton retort waters. The results clearly show significant differences in that each retort or process water contains various mono-, di-, branched, keto-aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids. The Occidental retort and process waters contained straight-chain monocarboxylic acids from C₂–C₁₃ and C₂–C₁₄, whereas the Geokinetics retort water contained C₂–C₁₀, the 150 Ton retort water C₂–C₁₀, and Omega-9 retort water C₂–C₁₄ acids. Variations among the retort waters and process waters were more important for the normal dicarboxylic acids. The Occidental retort and process water contained no C₂–C₇ straight-chain dicarboxylic acids, but those from C₈–C₁₂ were present. The Omega-9 retort water contained all the straight-chain dicarboxylic acids, C₂–C₁₂, that were identified, whereas the 150 Ton sample contained only C₂ and C₄ dicarboxylic acids, and the Geokinetics sample C₂–C₄ and C₈–C₁₂ acids. The implications of the results in pyrolysis of oil shale kerogen are discussed.     

Components of aggression in chickens and conceptualizations of aggression in general.

A refined analysis of the peck order in chickens is offered as a test of the notion that, for this species, different responses such as leaping and various types of pecking need not be interchangeable indexes of aggression. Tests showed that particular response types of the birds were differentially mediated by organismic or environmental factors. 36 pairs of male and female White Leghorn chicks were assigned to large cages, and 48 pairs were assigned to small cages. In large cages pecking at the body was most frequent by Ss that had a home-cage advantage. Contrarily, rates of aggressive leaping were independent of this influence, with males having an advantage over females. Males showed more head pecking than females, but the profile for this sex difference did not resemble the profile for leaping. Correlational analyses revealed that whereas head pecking between testmates was not matched in frequency, leaping was positively related. The behavior of Ss in small cages differed from that of large-cage Ss. Although there was more head pecking in small cages, males did not have an edge, and leaping was infrequent. Results indicate that these responses cannot be viewed as interchangeable indicators of aggression in fowl. (36 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Individual adaptations and structural change as solutions to social dilemmas.

80 undergraduates, in groups of 6, took "harvests" from a regenerating resource pool so as to maximize their harvests while maintaining the pool. False feedback was provided regarding the other Ss' harvest sizes. One-third of the Ss thought that the others were overusing the resource, one-third thought that the others were underusing it, and the remaining third were led to believe that the others were using the resource optimally. This "use" variable was crossed with a manipulation of the purported homogeneity of the others' behavior: Half the Ss thought that the others took relatively similar harvests (low variance), whereas the other half thought the others' harvests differed greatly (high variance). Results indicate that harvest size increased over time, especially in the underuse, high-variance condition. Ss in the overuse condition who expected that other group members would reciprocate self-restraint (high-trust Ss) decreased their harvest in comparison to low-trust Ss in this condition. As expected, more Ss in the overuse condition voted to give up free access to the resource in favor of a leader than did Ss in the other conditions. Data are also presented regarding the Ss' behavior as the elected leader. (17 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Interaction of tail-pressure stress and d-amphetamine in disruption of the rat's ability to ignore an irrelevant stimulus.

48 male Sprague-Dawley rats received either 0 or 30 preexposures to a tone that was later used as a warning stimulus in a 2-way active avoidance task. Consistent with previous data, tone preexposure resulted in retarded acquisition of the conditioned avoidance response (CAR) in saline-control Ss and in Ss that received chronic administration of dextroamphetamine (DAM; 1 mg/kg, sc). Ss that received tail-pressure stress prior to stimulus preexposure also showed retarded acquisition of the CAR. However, Ss that received a combination of tail pressure and DAM did not show retarded CAR acquisiton following stimulus preexposure. Results suggest an interaction between environmental stressors and DAM in producing attentional deficits. (21 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychotherapy with HIV-infected clients: Factors influencing notification of third parties.

This article investigates psychologists' reactions to a hypothetical case involving an HIV-positive client who is involved in a monogamous relationship and whose behavior places his partner at risk. Results indicate that respondents attribute more responsibility to the client to protect his partner when the relationship is heterosexual rather than homosexual. Respondents attribute greater responsibility to the client's partner for self-protection when the relationship is a short-term, homosexual relationship. Regardless of relationship type, a majority of respondents feel an ethical responsibility to protect the partner and seem willing to break confidentiality to do so if necessary. There is not, however, clear agreement about this course of action. Alternative strategies for assisting client disclosure are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)