Genetic Correlational Analyses of Ethanol Reward and Aversion Phenotypes in Short-Term Selected Mouse Lines Bred for Ethanol Drinking or Ethanol-Induced Conditioned Taste Aversion.

Short-term selective breeding created mouse lines divergent for ethanol drinking (high drinking short-term selected line [STDRHI], low drinking [STDRLO]) or ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion (CTA; high [HTA], low [LTA]). Compared with STDRLO, STDRHI mice consumed more saccharin and less quinine, exhibited greater ethanol-induced conditioned place preference (CPP), and showed reduced ethanol stimulation and sensitization under some conditions; a line difference in ethanol-induced CTA was not consistently found. Compared with LTA, HTA mice consumed less ethanol but were similar in saccharin consumption, sensitivity to ethanol-induced CPP, and ethanol-induced locomotor stimulation and sensitization. These data suggest that ethanol drinking is genetically associated with several reward-and aversion-related traits. The interpretation of ethanol-induced CTA as more genetically distinct must be tempered by the inability to test the CTA lines beyond Selection Generation 2. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Pursuing goals with others: Group identification and motivation resulting from things done versus things left undone.

This article addresses what factors best motivate individuals to work toward shared goals. We propose that when individuals do not identify highly with a group, their contributions will mimic others': An emphasis on things done will increase their contributions toward achieving a goal, because such emphasis suggests the goal is worth pursuing. Conversely, we propose that when individuals identify highly with a group, their contributions will compensate for others': An emphasis on things left undone will increase their own contributions, because missing contributions suggest insufficient progress toward a goal they already consider worthwhile. Five studies lend support to these predictions by measuring contributions to goals centered on idea generation and helping victims of various global disasters (earthquake in Haiti, wildfires in Southern California, rioting in Kenya). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Longitudinal stability of temperamental exuberance and social–emotional outcomes in early childhood.

The goals of the current study were to investigate the stability of temperamental exuberance across infancy and toddlerhood and to examine the associations between exuberance and social–emotional outcomes in early childhood. The sample consisted of 291 4-month-olds followed at 9, 24, and 36 months and again at 5 years of age. Behavioral measures of exuberance were collected at 9, 24, and 36 months. At 36 months, frontal electroencephalogram (EEG) asymmetry was assessed. At 5 years, maternal reports of temperament and behavior problems were collected, as were observational measures of social behavior during an interaction with an unfamiliar peer in the laboratory. Latent profile analysis revealed a high, stable exuberance profile that was associated with greater ratings of 5-year externalizing behavior and surgency, as well as observed disruptive behavior and social competence with unfamiliar peers. These associations were particularly true for children who displayed left frontal EEG asymmetry. Multiple factors supported an approach bias for exuberant temperament but did not differentiate between adaptive and maladaptive social–emotional outcomes at 5 years of age. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nonlinear behavior of linear low-density polyethylene

To predict the response of polyethylene thin films subjected to stress for a long time, it is necessary to understand the influence of stress on either the relaxation modulus or creep compliance. Extensive testing has been conducted on 20-micron-thick samples of a particular linear low-density polyethylene film at temperatures from 23°C to −50°C. When reduced to creep compliance and compared with results from dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), the influence of nonlinearities in the response function is apparent. However, the use of a two-step loading procedure has produced sufficient data to discriminate between the effect of stress on amplitude and time on the creep compliance. It has been found that a master curve of compliance generated by DMA equipment may be used in conjunction with certain nonlinear functions to accurately predict the response of the polyethylene. Perhaps of more importance is the observation that the principles of simple time-temperature superposition, commonly used with linear viscoelastic characterization, are insufficient for use with polyethylene films at most stress levels of interest.     

A Kinetic Model of Bacillus stearothermophilus α-Amylase under Process Conditions

A model is presented describing starch hydrolysis by Bacillus stearothermophilus α-amylase at temperatures of 90 to 115°C and substrate concentrations of 24 to 36% solids. First order kinetics adequately describe both the enzyme decay and starch hydrolysis reactions. Quantitation of temperature, pH, added calcium and substrate concentration interactive effects on the first order rate constants is aided by applying standard statistical techniques of experimental design and data analysis. A method for determining residual α-amylase activity in liquefact based on the Phadebas® dye release assay, and an osmometry method for determining degree of liquefact hydrolysis are described. Computer implementation of the model allows rapid graphical visualization as well as screening of ideas for improved starch hydrolysis processes.     

Heat degradation studies of solar heat transfer fluids

Destructive distillation of solar heat transfer fluids was conducted to determine the types of pyrolytic products which might be formed in solar collectors under conditions of stagnation or malfunction. The distillates were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to determine the types of compounds which were present and the minor components which might be formed. Dehydration products were formed from ethylene and propylene glycols with ethylene oxide and propylene oxide being minor products. A high aromatic petroleum heat transfer fluid yielded distillation fractions enriched in quinolines or isoquinolines and methylated derivatives thereof. Fractionation of this aromatic heat transfer fluid showed that the basic fraction of unheated fluid also contained aza-arenes which exhibited mutagenic activity in the Ames' bioassay. GC/MS showed that the basic fraction from unheated heat transfer fluid also contained benzoquinolines which appeared to be lacking in heat degraded samples of the same fluid. Fractionation of heat transfer fluids, in particular petroleum-based fluids, may often be necessary in order to concentrate minor components so that they can be identified by GC/MS and in order to detect mutagenic activities without interference from cytotoxic components.     

Adenovirus-mediated p53 gene transfer in patients with advanced recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

PURPOSE: Standard therapies of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) often cause profound morbidity and have not significantly improved survival over the last 30 years. Preclinical studies showed that adenoviral vector delivery of the wild-type p53 gene reduced tumor growth in mouse xenograft models. Our purpose was to ascertain the safety and therapeutic potential of adenoviral (Ad)-p53 in advanced HNSCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with incurable recurrent local or regionally metastatic HNSCC received multiple intratumoral injections of Ad-p53, either with or without tumor resection. Patients were monitored for adverse events and antiadenoviral antibodies, tumors were monitored for response and p53 expression, and body fluids were analyzed for Ad-p53. RESULTS: Tumors of 33 patients were injected with doses of up to 1 x 10(11) plaque-forming units (pfu). No dose-limiting toxicity or serious adverse events were noted. p53 expression was detected in tumor biopsies despite antibody responses after Ad-p53 injections. Clinical efficacy could be evaluated in 17 patients with nonresectable tumors: two patients showed objective tumor regressions of greater than 50%, six patients showed stable disease for up to 3.5 months, and nine patients showed progressive disease. One resectable patient was considered a complete pathologic response. Ad-p53 was detected in blood and urine in a dose-dependent fashion, and in sputum. CONCLUSION: Patients were safely injected intratumorally with Ad-p53. Objective antitumor activity was detected in several patients. The infectious Ad-p53 in body fluids was asymptomatic, and suggests that systemic or regional treatment may be tolerable. These results suggest the further investigation of Ad-p53 as a therapeutic agent for patients with HNSCC.     

Effect of fish oil on the fatty acid composition of human milk and maternal and infant erythrocytes

To examine the effect of fish oil supplementation on the fatty acid (FA) composition of human milk and maternal and infant erythrocytes, five lactating women were supplemented with 6 g of fish oil daily for 21d. Usual maternal diets contained 1,147 mg of total n−3 FA, with 120 mg from very long-chain (>C₁₈) n−3 FA. Supplementation increased dietary levels to 3,092 mg of total n−3 FA and 2,006 mg of very long-chain n−3 FA. Milk samples were collected daily, prior to fish oil ingestion, and at 4-h intervals on days 1, 7, 14 and 21. Milk n−3 FA content increased within 8 h and reached steady state levels within one week. The n−6 fatty acid content decreased. Erythrocyte eicosapentaenoic acid content increased from 0.24% to 1.4% (P<0.01) in mothers and from 0.11% to 0.70% (P<0.05) in infants. Docosapentaenoic acid increased from 1.4% to 2.2% (P<0.05) in mothers and from 0.30% to 0.78% (P<0.01) in infants. There was no significant change in docosahexaenoic acid or n−6 fatty acid content. Maternal platelet aggregation responses were variable. No differences in milk or plasma tocopherol levels were noted. Based on a paper presented at the Symposium on Milk Lipids held at the AOCS Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD, April 1990.