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Stegmann GM, Hahn S, Liss J, Shefner J, Rutkove SB, Kawabata K, Bhandari S, Shelton K, Duncan CJ, Berisha V. Repeatability of Commonly Used Speech and Language Features for Clinical Applications. Digit Biomark 2020; 4:109-122. [PMID: 33442573 DOI: 10.1159/000511671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Changes in speech have the potential to provide important information on the diagnosis and progression of various neurological diseases. Many researchers have relied on open-source speech features to develop algorithms for measuring speech changes in clinical populations as they are convenient and easy to use. However, the repeatability of open-source features in the context of neurological diseases has not been studied. Methods We used a longitudinal sample of healthy controls, individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and individuals with suspected frontotemporal dementia, and we evaluated the repeatability of acoustic and language features separately on these 3 data sets. Results Repeatability was evaluated using intraclass correlation (ICC) and the within-subjects coefficient of variation (WSCV). In 3 sets of tasks, the median ICC were between 0.02 and 0.55, and the median WSCV were between 29 and 79%. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that the repeatability of speech features extracted using open-source tool kits is low. Researchers should exercise caution when developing digital health models with open-source speech features. We provide a detailed summary of feature-by-feature repeatability results (ICC, WSCV, SE of measurement, limits of agreement for WSCV, and minimal detectable change) in the online supplementary material so that researchers may incorporate repeatability information into the models they develop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela M Stegmann
- Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.,Aural Analytics, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Shira Hahn
- Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.,Aural Analytics, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Julie Liss
- Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.,Aural Analytics, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | | | - Seward B Rutkove
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Visar Berisha
- Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.,Aural Analytics, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
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Stegmann GM, Hahn S, Liss J, Shefner J, Rutkove S, Shelton K, Duncan CJ, Berisha V. Author Correction: Early detection and tracking of bulbar changes in ALS via frequent and remote speech analysis. NPJ Digit Med 2020; 3:154. [PMID: 33299098 PMCID: PMC7679375 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-020-00364-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela M Stegmann
- Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA. .,Aural Analytics, Scottsdale, AZ, USA.
| | - Shira Hahn
- Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA.,Aural Analytics, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
| | - Julie Liss
- Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA.,Aural Analytics, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
| | | | - Seward Rutkove
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Visar Berisha
- Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA.,Aural Analytics, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
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3
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Stegmann GM, Hahn S, Liss J, Shefner J, Rutkove S, Shelton K, Duncan CJ, Berisha V. Early detection and tracking of bulbar changes in ALS via frequent and remote speech analysis. NPJ Digit Med 2020; 3:132. [PMID: 33083567 PMCID: PMC7555482 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-020-00335-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bulbar deterioration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating characteristic that impairs patients' ability to communicate, and is linked to shorter survival. The existing clinical instruments for assessing bulbar function lack sensitivity to early changes. In this paper, using a cohort of N = 65 ALS patients who provided regular speech samples for 3-9 months, we demonstrated that it is possible to remotely detect early speech changes and track speech progression in ALS via automated algorithmic assessment of speech collected digitally.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shira Hahn
- Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ USA
- Aural Analytics, Scottsdale, AZ USA
| | - Julie Liss
- Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ USA
- Aural Analytics, Scottsdale, AZ USA
| | | | - Seward Rutkove
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | | | | | - Visar Berisha
- Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ USA
- Aural Analytics, Scottsdale, AZ USA
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4
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Rutkove SB, Narayanaswami P, Berisha V, Liss J, Hahn S, Shelton K, Qi K, Pandeya S, Shefner JM. Reply to: Frequent self-assessments in ALS clinical trials: Worthwhile or an unnecessary burden? Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2020; 7:2076-2077. [PMID: 32946678 PMCID: PMC7545600 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Seward B Rutkove
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pushpa Narayanaswami
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Julie Liss
- Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Shira Hahn
- Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | | | - Kristin Qi
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sarbesh Pandeya
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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5
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Rutkove SB, Narayanaswami P, Berisha V, Liss J, Hahn S, Shelton K, Qi K, Pandeya S, Shefner JM. Improved ALS clinical trials through frequent at-home self-assessment: a proof of concept study. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2020; 7:1148-1157. [PMID: 32515889 PMCID: PMC7359124 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the potential for improving amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) clinical trials by having patients or caregivers perform frequent self-assessments at home. METHODS AND PARTICIPANTS We enrolled ALS patients into a nonblinded, longitudinal 9-month study in which patients and caregivers obtained daily data using several different instruments, including a slow-vital capacity device, a hand grip dynamometer, an electrical impedance myography-based fitness device, an activity tracker, a speech app, and the ALS functional rating scale-revised. Questions as to acceptability were asked at two time points. RESULTS A total of 113 individuals enrolled, with 61 (43 men, 18 women, mean age 60.1 ± 9.9 years) collecting a minimum of 7 days data and being included in the analysis. Daily measurements resulted in more accurate assessments of the slope of progression of the disease, resulting in smaller sample size estimates for a hypothetical clinical trial. For example, by performing daily slow-vital capacity measurements, calculated sample size was reduced to 182 subjects/study arm from 882/arm for monthly measurements. Similarly, performing the ALS functional rating scale weekly rather than monthly led to a calculated sample size of 73/arm as compared to 274/arm. Participants generally found the procedures acceptable and, for many, improved their sense of control of their disease. INTERPRETATION Frequent at-home measurements using standard tools holds the prospect of tracking progression and reducing sample size requirements for clinical trials in ALS while also being acceptable to the patients. Future studies in this and other neurological disorders should consider adopting this approach to data collection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seward B Rutkove
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Julie Liss
- Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Shira Hahn
- Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | | | - Kristin Qi
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sarbesh Pandeya
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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6
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Peplinski J, Berisha V, Liss J, Hahn S, Shefner J, Rutkove S, Qi K, Shelton K. OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF VOCAL TREMOR. Proc IEEE Int Conf Acoust Speech Signal Process 2020; 2019:6386-6390. [PMID: 31896954 DOI: 10.1109/icassp.2019.8682995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Detecting early signs of neurodegeneration is vital for planning treatments for neurological diseases. Speech plays an important role in this context because it has been shown to be a promising early indicator of neurological decline, and because it can be acquired remotely without the need for specialized hardware. Typically, symptoms are characterized by clinicians using subjective and discrete scales. The poor resolution and subjectivity of these scales can make the earliest speech changes hard to detect. In this paper, we propose an algorithm for the objective assessment of vocal tremor, a phenomenon associated with many neurological disorders. The algorithm extracts and aggregates a feature set from the average spectra of the energy and fundamental frequency profiles of a sustained phonation. We show that the resultant low-dimensional feature set reliably classifies healthy controls and patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis perceptually rated for tremor by speech language pathologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Peplinski
- School of Electrical Computer and Energy Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA
| | - Visar Berisha
- School of Electrical Computer and Energy Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA.,Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA
| | - Julie Liss
- Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA
| | | | - Jeremy Shefner
- Department of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, USA.,University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, USA
| | - Seward Rutkove
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, USA
| | - Kristin Qi
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, USA
| | - Kerisa Shelton
- Department of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, USA
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Berisha V, Liss J, Jones D, Hahn S, Rutkove S, Shelton K, Au R, Shefner J. TD‐P‐27: WORK IN PROGRESS: AN INDUSTRY‐CLINICAL‐ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIP FOR DIGITAL AND PERSISTENT ASSESSMENT OF MOTOR AND COGNITIVE‐LINGUISTIC OUTCOMES. Alzheimers Dement 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2019.06.4338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Rhoda Au
- Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health Boston MA USA
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8
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Berisha V, Liss J, Jones D, Hahn S, Rutkove S, Shelton K, Au R, Shefner J. P2-316: WORK IN PROGRESS: AN INDUSTRY-CLINICAL-ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIP FOR DIGITAL AND PERSISTENT ASSESSMENT OF MOTOR AND COGNITIVE-LINGUISTIC OUTCOMES. Alzheimers Dement 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2019.06.2723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Visar Berisha
- Arizona State University; Tempe AZ USA
- Aural Analytics; Scottsdale AZ USA
| | - Julie Liss
- Arizona State University; Tempe AZ USA
- Aural Analytics; Scottsdale AZ USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Rhoda Au
- Boston University; Schools of Medicine and Public Health; Boston MA USA
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Ralston L, Shelton K, Fletcher H. 19AN INNOVATIVE MULTIDISCIPLINARY MEDICINES REVIEW CLINIC FOR FRAIL OLDER PATIENTS WITH PROBLEMATIC POLYPHARMACY. Age Ageing 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afy211.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- L Ralston
- Care of the Elderly Department, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
| | - K Shelton
- Pharmacy Department, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
| | - H Fletcher
- Community Care Team, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
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10
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Rutkove SB, Qi K, Shelton K, Liss J, Berisha V, Shefner JM. ALS longitudinal studies with frequent data collection at home: study design and baseline data. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2018; 20:61-67. [PMID: 30486680 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2018.1541095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To design an ALS clinical study in which patients are remotely recruited, screened, enrolled and then assessed via daily data collection at home by themselves or caregivers. METHODS This observational, natural-history study included two academic medical centers, one providing overall clinical management and the other overseeing computing and web-services design and management. Both healthy and ALS subjects were recruited on the Internet via advertisement on governmental and foundation websites as well as through Facebook and Google paid advertisements. Individuals underwent screening and enrollment remotely, including signing an electronic informed consent form. Participants were then provided self-measurement equipment and instructed on their use through a series of web-based videos. The equipment included a handgrip dynamometer, spirometer with smartphone connection, electrical impedance myography device, and an activity tracker. ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised data were also collected. Subjects were asked to collect data daily for three months and twice-weekly for the subsequent six months. RESULTS One hundred and eleven ALS patients and 30 healthy individuals enrolled in the study from across 41 states (74 men, 62 women). Baseline median ALSFRS-R score was 33. Seventy two percent of the ALS patients sent equipment and 88% of the healthy subjects sent equipment were able to complete a first set of measurements. Expected baseline differences between the ALS patients and healthy participants were identified for all measures. CONCLUSIONS It is possible to design and institute an at-home based study in ALS patients, using a number of state-of-the-art approaches, including web-based consenting and training and Internet-connected measurement devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seward B Rutkove
- a Department of Neurology , Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center , Boston , MA , USA
| | - Kristin Qi
- a Department of Neurology , Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center , Boston , MA , USA
| | - Kerisa Shelton
- b Department of Neurology , Barrow Neurological Institute , Phoenix , AZ , USA
| | - Julie Liss
- d Department of Speech and Hearing Science , Arizona State University , Phoenix , AZ , USA
| | - Visar Berisha
- c University of Arizona College of Medicine , Phoenix , AZ , USA
| | - Jeremy M Shefner
- b Department of Neurology , Barrow Neurological Institute , Phoenix , AZ , USA
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11
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Shelton K, Bogyo K, Schick T, Ettenberg A. Pharmacological modulation of lateral habenular dopamine D2 receptors alters the anxiogenic response to cocaine in a runway model of drug self-administration. Behav Brain Res 2016; 310:42-50. [PMID: 27155504 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Revised: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine has long been known to produce an initial "high" followed by an aversive/anxiogenic "crash". While much is known about the neurobiology of cocaine's positive/rewarding effects, the mechanisms that give rise to the drug's negative/anxiogenic actions remain unclear. Recent research has implicated the lateral habenula (LHb) in the encoding of aversive events including the anxiogenic response to cocaine. Of particular interest in this regard are the reciprocal connections between the LHb and the ventral tegmental area (VTA). VTA-DA neurons innervate different subsets of LHb cells that in turn feedback upon and modulate VTA neuronal activity. Here we examined the impact of D2 receptor activation and inhibition on the anxiogenic response to cocaine using a runway model of self-administration that is sensitive to the dual and opposing effects of the drug. Male rats ran a straight alley for IV cocaine (1.0mg/kg) following bilateral intra-LHb infusions of the D2 receptor antagonist, cis-flupenthixol (0, 7.5 or 15μg/side) or the D2 agonist, sumanirole (0, 5 or 10μg/side). Vehicle-pretreated controls developed approach-avoidance conflict behaviors about goal-box entry reflective of the dual positive and negative effects of cocaine. These behaviors were significantly diminished during LHb-D2 receptor antagonism and increased by the LHb D2 receptor agonist. These results demonstrate that activity at the D2 receptor in the lateral habenula serves to modulate the anxiogenic response to cocaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerisa Shelton
- Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-9660, United States
| | - Kelsie Bogyo
- Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-9660, United States
| | - Tinisha Schick
- Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-9660, United States
| | - Aaron Ettenberg
- Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-9660, United States.
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12
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Ettenberg A, Fomenko V, Kaganovsky K, Shelton K, Wenzel JM. On the positive and negative affective responses to cocaine and their relation to drug self-administration in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2015; 232:2363-75. [PMID: 25662610 PMCID: PMC4465857 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-3873-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Acute cocaine administration produces an initial rewarding state followed by a dysphoric/anxiogenic "crash." OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine whether individual differences in the relative value of cocaine's positive and negative effects would account for variations in subsequent drug self-administration. METHODS The dual actions of cocaine were assessed using a conditioned place test (where animals formed preferences for environments paired with the immediate rewarding effects of 1.0mg/kg i.v. cocaine or aversions of environments associated with the anxiogenic effects present 15-min postinjection) and a runway test (where animals developed approach-avoidance "retreat" behaviors about entering a goal box associated with cocaine delivery). Ranked scores from these two tests were then correlated with each other and with the escalation in the operant responding of the same subjects observed over 10 days of 1- or 6-h/day access to i.v. (0.4 mg/inj) cocaine self-administration. RESULTS Larger place preferences were associated with faster runway start latencies (r s = -0.64), but not with retreat frequency or run times; larger place aversions predicted slower runway start times (r s = 0.62), increased run times (r s = 0.65), and increased retreats (r s = 0.62); response escalation was observed in both the 1- and 6-h self-administration groups and was associated with increased CPPs (r s = 0.58) but not CPAs, as well as with faster run times (r s = -0.60). CONCLUSIONS Together, these data suggest that animals exhibiting a greater positive than negative response to acute (single daily injections of) cocaine are at the greatest risk for subsequent escalated cocaine self-administration, a presumed indicator of cocaine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Ettenberg
- Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-9660, USA.
| | - Vira Fomenko
- Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-9660, USA
| | - Konstantin Kaganovsky
- Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-9660, USA
| | - Kerisa Shelton
- Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-9660, USA
| | - Jennifer M Wenzel
- Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-9660, USA
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13
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Birkett M, Shelton K. Decreasing neuroscience anxiety in an introductory neuroscience course: an analysis using data from a modified science anxiety scale. J Undergrad Neurosci Educ 2011; 10:A37-43. [PMID: 23626491 PMCID: PMC3598191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2011] [Revised: 06/21/2011] [Accepted: 08/11/2011] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
To determine whether participation in a neuroscience course reduced neuroscience anxiety, a modified version of the Science Anxiety Scale was administered to students at the beginning and end of an introductory course. Neuroscience anxiety scores were significantly reduced at the end of the course and correlated with higher final grades. Reduced neuroscience anxiety did not correlate with reduced science anxiety, suggesting that neuroscience anxiety is a distinct subtype of anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Birkett
- Psychology Department, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011
| | - Kerisa Shelton
- Psychology Department, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011
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15
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Williams CP, Postic C, Robin D, Robin P, Parrinello J, Shelton K, Printz RL, Magnuson MA, Granner DK, Forest C, Chalkley R. Isolation and characterization of the mouse cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) gene: evidence for tissue-specific hypersensitive sites. Mol Cell Endocrinol 1999; 148:67-77. [PMID: 10221772 DOI: 10.1016/s0303-7207(98)00234-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
A 72 kilobase pair DNA fragment that contains the mouse phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene locus, pck1, was isolated from a genomic bacterial artificial chromosome library. The region from approximately -5.5 to +6.6 kilobase pairs relative to the pck1 transcription start site was sequenced and exhibits a high degree of homology to the rat and human genes. Additionally, the chromatin structure of the PEPCK gene in mouse liver resembles that seen in rat. Backcross panel analysis of a microsatellite sequence confirms that the gene is located on chromosome 2. Hypersensitive site analysis was performed on nuclei isolated from the adipocyte cell line 3T3-F442A in the preadipose and adipose states. Several hypersensitive sites are present in the undifferentiated 3T3-F442A cells, before PEPCK mRNA is detected. The same sites are present after differentiation, however, the sensitivity of mHS 3 increases relative to the others. We conclude that the chromatin is open in 3T3-F442A cells and that factors are able to bind in the undifferentiated state but that something else is required for transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- C P Williams
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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16
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Rodrigues M, Shelton K, Glaser E, Higginbotham E. Histologic effect of diode laser sclerostomy in human cadaver eyes. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers 1998; 29:758-61. [PMID: 9760613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES To study tissue effects and thresholds of efficacy in producing a full-thickness scleral fistula in human eyes obtained from cadavers. The effect of laser sclerostomies created with indocyanine green (ICG) was also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ab externo laser sclerostomies were produced in 12 fresh human eyes obtained from cadavers using a 200-micron diameter fiber optic connected to a diode laser system. Power settings were 500, 750, 1000, 1250, 1500, and 2000 mW with a constant duration of 100 and 200 ms. The same diode laser settings were repeated in the tissues injected with ICG. RESULTS The laser sclerostomies were associated with heat coagulation damage adjacent to the burn margins, with disruption of stromal collagen. Tissue damage was greater at higher power and longer duration. Scleral injection of ICG prior to laser sclerostomy did not enhance laser penetration. CONCLUSION The diode laser can create a sclerostomy in human sclera with an optimum level of 1500 mW and 100 ms. ICG did not significantly enhance the ease of penetration or reduce the association thermal damage to the sclera.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Rodrigues
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE To report a case of glaucomatocyclitic crisis (Posner-Schlossman syndrome) in a child. METHOD Case report. A 13-year-old boy presented with decreased vision, photophobia, halos, and pain in the right eye. RESULT Findings in this child were consistent with a diagnosis of Posner-Schlossman syndrome. CONCLUSION Glaucomatocyclitic crisis can occur in a child and must be included in the differential diagnosis of uveitis and glaucoma in pediatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Burnstein
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Maryland, USA.
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Maplethorpe R, Shelton K. P-205. A method for obtaining pre-antral and early antral follicles by mechanical and enzymatic dissociation of sheep ovarian tissue. Hum Reprod 1997. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/12.suppl_2.215-b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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19
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Shelton K, Maplethorpe R, Lin D, Webster J. P-204. In-vitro growth of early human follicles on collagen-impregnated membranes. Hum Reprod 1997. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/12.suppl_2.215-a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Bermudez LE, Petrofsky M, Shelton K. Epidermal growth factor-binding protein in Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium tuberculosis: a possible role in the mechanism of infection. Infect Immun 1996; 64:2917-22. [PMID: 8757813 PMCID: PMC174167 DOI: 10.1128/iai.64.8.2917-2922.1996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a potent mitogen for a variety of eukaryotic cells. EGF is found in a number of tissues and is prevalent in necrotic tissues and granulomata. The biological effect of EGF on mammalian cells is initiated by the binding to a specific receptor. Both Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium tuberculosis cause lung infections and localized or disseminated disease in both patients without AIDS and those with AIDS. Histopathologic studies show necrosis in the lung, liver, and splenic tissues of patients with disseminated mycobacterial infection. In the course of experiments to examine the effect of growth factors on macrophages, it was observed that M. avium and M. tuberculosis but not Mycobacterium smegmatis cultured in the presence of 5, 50, or 500 ng of EGF per ml grew significantly faster than mycobacteria cultured in the absence of EGF. 125I-EGF was found to bind to M. avium and M. tuberculosis, and the binding was competitively inhibited by unlabeled EGF. A receptor for EGF was identified on mycobacteria. Incubation of mycobacteria with EGF prior to infection of macrophage monolayers resulted in faster bacterial growth within macrophages compared with that of mycobacteria not incubated with EGF. EGF-binding protein was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, and subsequently the protein was purified and the N-terminal amino acids were sequenced. These results suggest that EGF is a growth factor for pathogenic mycobacteria in granulomatous tissues and within macrophages and might enhance growth rates of both intracellular and extracellular mycobacteria in the site of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- L E Bermudez
- Kuzell Institute for Arthritis and Infectious Diseases, California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, California 94115, USA
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Bermudez LE, Shelton K, Young LS. Comparison of the ability of Mycobacterium avium, M. smegmatis and M. tuberculosis to invade and replicate within HEp-2 epithelial cells. Tuber Lung Dis 1995; 76:240-7. [PMID: 7548908 DOI: 10.1016/s0962-8479(05)80012-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Previous studies have demonstrated that mycobacteria can interact with epithelial cells, a property which can be important for establishing infection. In this study we investigated comparatively the ability of Mycobacterium avium, M. tuberculosis and M. smegmatis to invade and multiply within HEp-2 epithelial cells. DESIGN The ability to invade and to multiply intracellularly in HEp-2 cells was examined using a virulent strain of M. avium, a virulent (H37Rv) and an attenuated (H37Ra) strain of M. tuberculosis and a strain of M. smegmatis. The locus responsible for M. avium invasion was also cloned in Escherichia coli and M. smegmatis. RESULTS It was observed that M. avium invaded HEp-2 cells with greater efficiency than M. tuberculosis and M. smegmatis, while the H37Rv strain of M. tuberculosis was more efficient in invading HEp-2 than H37Ra and M. smegmatis. Both M. avium and M. tuberculosis were capable of multiplying within HEp-2 cells, while M. smegmatis was not. E. coli K12 and M. smegmatis were transformed with M. avium DNA. The invasive locus of M. avium provided E. coli K12 and M. smegmatis strains S5M101-1 and S5M101-2 with the ability to invade HEp-2 epithelial cells. Transformed M. smegmatis strains were able to grow intracellularly. CONCLUSION 'Virulent' strains of M. avium and M. tuberculosis were shown to invade and to multiply within HEp-2 epithelial cells. This property was transferred to E. coli K12 and M. smegmatis by transformation with the invasive locus of M. avium. The ability of certain strains of mycobacteria to invade epithelial cells (bronchial, alveolar, intestinal) may represent an important phenotypic characteristic and could be directly related to pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- L E Bermudez
- Kuzell Institute for Arthritis and Infectious Diseases, California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco 94115, USA
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Albert SE, Strutz F, Shelton K, Haverty T, Sun MJ, Li SR, Denham A, Maki RA, Neilson EG. Characterization of a cis-acting regulatory element which silences expression of the class II-A beta gene in epithelium. J Exp Med 1994; 180:233-40. [PMID: 8006583 PMCID: PMC2191571 DOI: 10.1084/jem.180.1.233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes encode for alpha/beta chain pairs that are constitutively expressed principally on mature B cells and dendritic cells in mice. These gene products are easily induced on macrophages with cytokines, and may also aberrantly appear on the surface of epithelium during immune injury. The appearance of class II determinants in parenchymal tissue potentially renders these somatic cells capable of antigen presentation to circulating CD4+ T lymphocytes, and their absence may be protective for normal tissues expressing self-antigens. The low surface class II expression observed on parenchymal cells generally correlates with low levels of mRNA, suggesting that transcription rate is a major element in class II regulation. To understand the transcriptional mechanism maintaining low basal surface expression of class II in somatic cells, we transiently transfected mini-gene reporter constructs to study the regulation of the murine A beta promoter in a cultured renal epithelial cell line. We describe here a negative cis-acting regulatory region located between -552 and -489 bp upstream of the A beta cap site that silences the transcriptional activity of the A beta promoter in epithelial cells in an orientation-dependent manner, and is also able to silence a heterologous promoter. This region is not active in class II-expressing B cells (BAL-17) in culture, but is functional in two other murine class II-negative cell lines, fibroblasts and thymoma T cells. Using competition electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we have localized the core protein binding site within this region to an 8-10-bp response element, designated A beta NRE, at -543 to -534 bp. A nuclear extract from BAL-17 cells does not bind to this element. Mutation of this site abrogates the transcriptional silencing activity of the region. We conclude that the transcription of class II-A beta in parenchymal cells, and some lymphocytes, can be actively repressed by an upstream silencing element.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Albert
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104
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Abstract
Caregiver role strain is a new diagnosis accepted by NANDA in 1992. The diagnosis is a well-described family phenomenon that can be measured and predicted. Sources of variance for the various defining characteristics have been identified. The diagnosis is also important to society. Nurses can play a significant part in reducing the role strain caregivers feel or preventing its occurrence.
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Weinstein R, Sato PT, Shelton K, Hartigan N, Ropper AH, Hayes M, Cardillo K. Successful management of paraprotein-associated peripheral polyneuropathies by immunoadsorption of plasma with staphylococcal protein A. J Clin Apher 1993; 8:72-7. [PMID: 8226708 DOI: 10.1002/jca.2920080204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Two patients with paraprotein-associated peripheral polyneuropathy were treated successfully using immunoadsorption of patient's plasma with staphylococcal protein A. Both had previously been treated with immunosuppressive agents or plasma exchange, and were rapidly relapsing at the time of their protein A immunoadsorption therapy. One patient was treated "on-line" with a blood cell separator, and one was treated "off-line." Both responded well to therapy with minimal toxicity. Serum levels of circulating immune complexes were elevated in one patient and remained so during and after therapy. Immunoadsorption with protein A should be investigated as a therapeutic option for patients with paraprotein-associated peripheral polyneuropathy. The therapy is relatively easy to administer, particularly "off-line," and was well tolerated by our patients. More experience, including formal clinical trials, will be required to properly define the indications for, and mechanism of response to, this therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Weinstein
- Department of Biomedical Research and Medicine, St. Elizabeth's Hospital of Boston, MA 02135
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25
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Shelton K. Rhode Island group helps abused women. RDH 1991; 11:38. [PMID: 1819828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Abstract
Class II gene products of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are not expressed usually in abundance on normal epithelium. The cell surface visibility of such proteins for the immune system is thought to be limited protectively in order to minimize inflammation consequent to the recognition of self-antigens in parenchymal structures by T lymphocytes. In the current experiments we investigated whether the previously recognized sparseness of A beta on the surface of tubular epithelial cells might be accounted for by a protein coding difference deduced from the primary structure of its transcript compared with sequence from lymphoid cells that normally express A beta in generous amounts. We demonstrate, however, using clones obtained from a cDNA library prepared from tubular epithelium harvested from H-2s (A beta/alpha+; E beta/alpha-) mice susceptible to autoimmune interstitial nephritis, that the nucleotide sequence encoding the class II A beta chain in cells from both compartments is essentially identical. Our findings suggest that there is no primary structural aberrancy in the coding region of parenchymal A beta that would contribute to its low expression. The protective tolerance afforded by reduced numbers of class II molecules in normal tissues is, therefore, more likely the result of repressive regulatory processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Albert
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
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Shelton K, Fishel S, Jackson P, Webster J, Faratian B, Johnson J. The use of the GnRH analogue buserelin for IVF--does it improve fertility? Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1991; 98:544-9. [PMID: 1908314 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1991.tb10368.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of a short course of the GnRH analogue buserelin and human menopausal gonadotrophin (hMG), for ovarian stimulation in our IVF programme, on reproductive endocrinology and pregnancy rates compared with conventional clomiphene citrate and hMG treatment. DESIGN Prospective randomized allocation to one of two ovulation stimulation regimens. SETTING Fertility clinic. SUBJECTS 373 infertile couples with various factors associated with their subfertility. All the women were less than 46 years of age and had normal menstrual cycles. INTERVENTION The first group (n = 151) was given clomiphene citrate (CC) from days 2-6 of the menstrual cycle and hMG from day 5 onwards (CC/hMG). The second group (n = 222) was given buserelin from days 1-3 and hMG from day 2 (buserelin/hMG). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Concentration of plasma luteinizing hormone (LH), oestradiol (E2) and progesterone, number of ovulatory follicles induced and the occurrence of pregnancy. RESULTS Plasma LH, E2 and progesterone concentrations were reduced in the late follicular phase after buserelin/hMG compared with CC/hMG. Buserelin/hMG promoted the development of more follicles than CC/hMG. The overall pregnancy rate after buserelin/hMG was not significantly different from that following CC/hMG treatment. CONCLUSION The chance of pregnancy is not improved by the short-term use of buserelin with hMG, provided adequate follicular phase management is maintained.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Shelton
- AMI Park Hospital, Fertility Services Unit, Arnold, Nottingham
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Schenk S, Horger BA, Peltier R, Shelton K. Supersensitivity to the reinforcing effects of cocaine following 6-hydroxydopamine lesions to the medial prefrontal cortex in rats. Brain Res 1991; 543:227-35. [PMID: 1905576 DOI: 10.1016/0006-8993(91)90032-q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The effects of neurotoxic lesions to the medial prefrontal cortex on both the acquisition and maintenance of intravenous cocaine self-administration were examined. In one experiment, acquisition of intravenous cocaine self-administration (0.25, 0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg/infusion) was measured in separate groups of rats 14 days following either a sham or 6-hydroxydopamine lesion to the medial prefrontal cortex. For sham rats, the 1.0 and 0.5 mg/kg dose supported reliable self-administration as indicated by discriminative responding. These rats reliably chose a lever that resulted in the delivery of these doses of cocaine over an inactive lever. Reinforced response rates were reduced when 0.25 mg/kg was the available dose and there was a loss of discriminative responding for some of the rats suggesting that it was close to threshold for self-administration. For rats that sustained a 70% depletion of dopamine in the medial prefrontal cortex, the dose-response curve was an inverse function across the entire dose range tested. In contrast to the data from the control rats, lesioned rats had a high rate of reinforced responses and demonstrated good discrimination for all doses including 0.25 mg/kg/infusion, suggesting a supersensitive response to the initial reward effect of cocaine. Another group of rats was first screened for reliable cocaine self-administration (0.5 mg/kg/infusion) and then subjected to either the prefrontal cortical 6-hydroxydopamine or sham lesion. Dose-response curves for cocaine self-administration were compared 14 days following the infusions. The lesioned rats responded reliably for low doses of cocaine that were unable to maintain responding in sham rats. These data support the hypothesis that the medial prefrontal cortex plays an important role in cocaine self-administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Schenk
- Department of Psychology, Texas A and M University, College Station 77843
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Fishel SB, Webster J, Faratian B, Jackson P, Shelton K, Johnson J. Establishing pregnancies after follicular stimulation for IVF with clomiphene citrate and human menopausal gonadotrophin only. Hum Reprod 1991; 6:106-12. [PMID: 1908488 DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a137242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Data are presented on establishing pregnancies by IVF during 1987 using only clomiphene citrate and human menopausal gonadotrophin for follicular stimulation. Of the 562 patients undergoing follicular stimulation, 80% reached oocyte recovery and 70% had at least one conceptus replaced. Patients having one or more (up to a maximum of four) conceptuses replaced demonstrated a significant increase in the establishment of pregnancies from one to two (14-29%: P = 0.035) and from two to three conceptuses (29-42%: P = 0.037). There was a significant decline in pregnancies when four conceptuses were replaced compared with three (P = 0.004). The data were also analysed according to the cause of infertility, specifically tubal, endometriosis, unexplained infertility and male factors only. After the replacement of conceptuses, the incidence of implantation and abortion was not significantly different. The incidence of pregnancy declined significantly after 35 years (26%) compared with women under 31 years (43%; P = 0.043). Of 129 women having three conceptuses replaced, in those greater than 35 years (63 patients) 23 (37%) became pregnant whereas in those less than 31 years (65 patients), 34 (52%; P = 0.05) became pregnant. Twenty-two per cent of stimulated cycles resulted in an endogenous LH surge and the incidence of patients having three conceptuses replaced in this group was lower than those in the HCG group (P = 0.007). Fertilization per oocyte was also significantly reduced (P less than 0.001) in patients with an LH surge. In total, 2824 oocytes were recovered and 57% fertilized with 54% of patients having three conceptuses replaced.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- S B Fishel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK
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Abstract
During a preexposure period rats were injected once daily with either cocaine HCI (10 mg/kg, IP) or the saline vehicle for 12 consecutive days. Rats that were chronically exposed to cocaine during the pretreatment phase were more responsive to the motor activating effects of a subsequent injection of cocaine than were rats chronically treated with saline. In self-administration testing, saline-pretreated groups did not exhibit a significant preference for a lever producing a cocaine infusion relative to an inactive lever, suggesting that the doses tested (0.225 and 0.45 mg/kg/infusion) were subthreshold for cocaine reward. In contrast, subjects preexposed to cocaine had a higher rate of reinforced responses and exhibited a preference for a lever that resulted in a cocaine infusion. It was unlikely that the higher response rate was due to an elevation in nonspecific activity since inactive lever responding remained low and relatively invariant over the 9 days of testing. Thus the enhanced responding in the cocaine-preexposed rats suggests that the reinforcing effectiveness of the drug had increased. These data indicate that sensitivity to cocaine's behavioral effects can be enhanced and that predisposing factors to cocaine abuse can be manipulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- B A Horger
- Texas A&M University, Department of Psychology, College Station 77843
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Millington P, Shelton K. Ready and able. Health Serv J 1990; 100:1790-1. [PMID: 10108378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
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Shelton K, Gayerie De Abreu MF, Hunter MG, Parkinson TJ, Lamming GE. Luteal inadequacy during the early luteal phase of subfertile cows. J Reprod Fertil 1990; 90:1-10. [PMID: 2231531 DOI: 10.1530/jrf.0.0900001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
A study was made of early luteal function (up to Day 6) in cyclic and pregnant heifers and also in older, subfertile cows. There were no differences in vivo or in vitro between cyclic and pregnant heifers, indicating no luteotrophic effect of the embryo at this stage, but the increase in postovulatory peripheral progesterone concentrations was delayed (P less than 0.01) and occurred more slowly (P less than 0.001) in the subfertile cows than in the heifers. The corpora lutea of the subfertile cows were heavier (P less than 0.001) than those of the heifers on Day 6. Basal progesterone production by dispersed luteal cells was similar between heifers and subfertile cows, but there was a difference (P less than 0.001) in the pattern of response to exogenous LH and PGE-2. Cells from subfertile cows were less sensitive to the stimulatory effects of PGE-2 and although LH increased (P less than 0.001) progesterone production by all cells, this stimulation by a low dose of LH was inhibited by PGE-2 in luteal cells from subfertile cows. This effect did not occur in the luteal cells from heifers. These results indicate the possibility that luteal inadequacy, due to a diminished response to circulating luteotrophic hormones, may contribute to embryo mortality in subfertile cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Shelton
- AFRC Research Group on Hormones and Farm Animal Reproduction, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Leics, UK
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Shelton K, Parkinson TJ, Hunter MG, Kelly RW, Lamming GE. Prostaglandin E-2 as a potential luteotrophic agent during early pregnancy in cattle. J Reprod Fertil 1990; 90:11-7. [PMID: 2231533 DOI: 10.1530/jrf.0.0900011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Heifers slaughtered on Day 18/19 of pregnancy had significantly higher (P less than 0.001) concentrations of PGE-2 (measured as its methyl oxime) in uterine flushings than did animals slaughtered on Days 6 or 12 of pregnancy, or on Days 6 or 12 of the oestrous cycle. In addition, concentrations were higher in the uterine horn ipsilateral to the corpus lueum on Days 12 (P less than 0.05) and 18/19 (P less than 0.01) than in the contralateral horn. Incubation of dispersed luteal cells for 3 h with LH (0.1 or 100 ng/ml) and/or PGE-2 (0.01-1000 ng/ml) in vitro showed no differences in basal progesterone production or in the responses to exogenous hormones between pregnant and non-pregnant cattle. However, low doses of PGE-2 (0.01-10 ng/ml) inhibited the stimulation of progesterone secretion by the lower dose of LH. These findings indicate that although PGE-2 can stimulate progesterone synthesis by luteal cells it may also have inhibitory effects, and therefore its role in pregnancy requires further definition.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Shelton
- AFRC Research Group on Hormones and Farm Animal Reproduction, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, Leics, UK
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Abstract
Central nervous system stimulation, similar to that observed for amphetamine, has been attributed to phenylpropanolamine (PPA). However, formal tests, using evaluation of locomotion or of self-administration, fail to reveal that PPA is a stimulant. Self-administration studies have trained rats to self-administer cocaine and then have attempted to switch rats to PPA with no success of transfer. The present study further examined the reinforcing properties of PPA (0.08, 0.16, and 0.32 mg/infusion, IV) in rats that were initially trained to self-administer d-amphetamine (0.005-0.08 mg/infusion) in a two-lever paradigm. Self-administration of amphetamine was a function of dose with 0.01 mg/infusion producing reliably high responding on the active lever. The proportion of active/inactive lever presses remained constant (0.60-0.80) across the amphetamine dose range. PPA was dose-dependently self-administered during the first hour of each session with rats responding at approximately 70% on the active lever. In contrast, responding on the active lever dropped off to approximately 48% when saline was substituted for amphetamine. These data document that rats with prior exposure to amphetamine will self-administer PPA during the initial portion of a three-hour test.
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Affiliation(s)
- P J Wellman
- Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843
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Abstract
Two cases of ovum retention occurring in postovulatory follicles are described. The ova were recovered at laparoscopy by aspiration of decompressed ovulatory follicles, one during a natural cycle and the other following a programmed clomiphene/human chorionic gonadotropin cycle. Each patient had a normal luteal phase with an increased progesterone level indicative of ovulation. The implications of these findings and their relevance to human fertility studies are discussed.
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Shelton K. Selecting a job that satisfies. Nurs Careers 1980; 1:4-8. [PMID: 6903848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
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Abstract
Enucleation of animal cells in which nuclear fragmentation (micronucleation) has been induced by treatment with mitotic inhibitors results in the formation of subdiploid microcells consisting of one or several micronuclei, some cytoplasm and surrounded by a plasma membrane. Microcells were prepared from rat kangaroo cells (12 chromosomes) and a polyoma virus transformed mouse cell line (61 chromosomes) and analysed for DNA content. Microspectrophotometric DNA measurements and the appearance of micronuclei at mitosis show that small micronuclei contain genetic information equivalent to single chromosomes. A large proportion of the micronuclei and the microcells, however, contains DNA corresponding to several chromosomes. Heterogeneous mixtures of microcells can be fractionated by a unit gravity sedimentation procedure so as to isolate the small microcells. These can afterwards be fused with intact normal or mutant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Sekiguchi
- Institute for Medical Cell Research and Genetics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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