Behavioral correlates of social anxiety

High school students' scores on a paper-and-pencil test of social anxiety were correlated with talking, eye contact and gesturing behaviors during a 10-min vidotaped interview. Results showed that high anxious subjects talked less while listening to instruction. They also held the gaze for less total time and in bouts of shorter duration while they were talking;while they were listening, they were significantly more variable in their average bout duration. Within-group variability suggested that non-verbal behaviour should be analysed according to individual rather than group differences.     

Behavioral correlates of vitamin D deficiency

Rats deprived of vitamin D at weaning were compared to control rats on open field, stabilimeter, radial arm maze and spatial reversal tasks in order to test the hypothesis that vitamin D deficiency alters behavior and learning. The deficient animals engaged in statistically less open field rearing activity and spent more time each day negotiating the radial maze than did the control rats. These findings are consistent with the known influence of vitamin D on the musculoskeletal system. The deprived rats did not differ from the control animals on the learning measures. This would indicate that vitamin D deficiency may not significantly impair cognitive functions in young adult rats.     

Reduced hypertension-induced end-organ damage in mice lacking cardiac and renal angiotensinogen synthesis

Hypertension-induced damage of kidney and heart is of major clinical relevance, but its pathophysiology is only partially understood. As there is considerable evidence for involvement of angiotensin II, we generated a new mouse model by breeding angiotensinogen (AOGEN) deficient mice with transgenic animals expressing the rat AOGEN gene only in brain and liver. This genetic manipulation overcame the hypotension of AOGEN-deficient mice and even caused hypertension indistinguishable in its extent from the parent transgenic mice with an intact endogenous AOGEN gene. In contrast to normal mice, however, crossbred animals lacked detectable expression of AOGEN in kidney and heart. As a consequence they showed markedly reduced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Furthermore, hypertension-induced alterations in kidney histology and function were less pronounced in crossbred mice than in equally hypertensive animals expressing AOGEN locally. The dysmorphogenesis observed in kidneys from AOGEN-deficient mice was absent in mice expressing this gene only in liver and brain. Our results support an important role of local AOGEN expression in hypertension-induced end-organ damage but not in the development of the kidney.     

Behavioral correlates of adherence to antiretroviral therapy

The objective of this study was to analyze the relationships between adherence to treatment and sexual and drug-taking behaviors among persons with HIV, who started combination antiretroviral therapy as their first regimen. The authors analyzed data from 366 patients enrolled in a multicenter observational cohort study conducted in infectious disease hospital units in Italy. Adherence measurement was based on responses to a self-administered questionnaire regarding following HIV physician advice on taking medications and missed appointments. Questions on sexual and drug-taking behaviors were also included in the questionnaire. The median time since starting antiretroviral therapy was 11.8 months; 37.4% of patients were on a two-drug regimen and 62.6% were on a three-drug regimen. Overall, 68 patients (18.6%) could be classified as nonadherent. The proportion of patients with viral load < or = 500 copies/mL was significantly higher among adherent patients (68%) compared with nonadherent patients (40.4%; p = .001). In multivariable analysis, age (odds ratio [OR], 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.42-0.98, per 10-year increment) and current use of injection (OR, 3.47; 95% CI, 1.40-8.5) or noninjection drugs (OR, 4.23; 95% Cl, 1.85-9.67) were significantly associated with nonadherence. No significant association was found between adherence and sexual behaviors. The data do not support the hypothesis that among HIV-infected person on antiretroviral therapy, poor adherence is associated with high-risk sexual behaviors that may further spread the infection.     

Behavioral correlates of focal hippocampal x-irradiation in rats

Summary A study presenting findings of focal hippocampal x-irradiation in early infancy and late behavior at two ages was carried out using Long-Evans hooded rats (Rattus norvegicus). Animals from eleven litters received 150-R irradiation treatments for 5 or 15 consecutive days and were then tested in an open field situation and in a two-way active avoidance apparatus. The results indicated that the behavioral deficits paralleled those seen in animals with classical hippocampal lesions. The results were offered in support of a response suppression model for hippocampal functioning.     

Behavioral correlates of sleep-disordered breathing in older women

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between SDB and subjective measures of daytime sleepiness, sleep quality, and sleep related quality of life in a large cohort of primarily community-dwelling older women, specifically considering the relative importance of sleep duration in mediating these associations. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. The functional outcome measures of interest were daytime sleepiness (using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, ESS), sleep-related symptoms (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI), and sleep related quality of life (Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire, FOSQ). ANOVA and regression analyses examined the association between SDB severity (measured by indices of breathing disturbances and overnight oxygen saturation) and sleep time (by actigraphy) and these outcome measures. Regression models were adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI), and a medical comorbidity index. We specifically explored whether associations with indices of SDB were mediated by sleep deprivation by adjusting models for actigraphy-determined average total sleep time (TST) during the night. SETTING: Community-based sample examined in home and outpatient settings. PARTICIPANTS: 461 surviving older women from the multicenter Study of Osteoporotic Fractures were examined during Visit 8 from 2002-03. All participants underwent in-home overnight polysomnography for one night and wrist actigraphy for a minimum of 3 24-h periods and completed the above functional outcomes questionnaires. INTERVENTIONS: N/A. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Participants were aged 82.9 +/- 3.5 (mean +/- SD) years, had BMI of 27.9 +/- 5.1 kg/m2, and had an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 15.7 +/- 15.1. AHI and TST demonstrated a weak correlation (r = -0.15). ESS score individually demonstrated a modest association with AHI, oxygen desaturation, and TST. The association of ESS score and AHI--but not oxygen desaturation-was attenuated to some extent by adjustment for TST. PSQI and FOSQ scores were not associated with measures of SDB severity or TST. CONCLUSIONS: After adjustment for TST, SDB severity in community-dwelling older women was not independently associated with self-reported daytime sleepiness, although there may be a modest association that is mediated through reduced TST. In older women, SDB severity was not associated with indices of sleep related symptoms or sleep related quality of life.     

Degree and correlates of cardiac knowledge and awareness among cardiac inpatients

Objective

To investigate the degree of CHD awareness as well as symptom, risk factor, and treatment knowledge in a broad sample of cardiac inpatients, and to examine its sociodemographic, clinical and psychosocial correlates.

Methods

1308 CHD inpatients (351 [27.0%] female), recruited from 11 acute care sites in Ontario, participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants were provided with a survey which included a knowledge questionnaire among other measures, and clinical data were extracted from medical charts.

Results

855 (68.8%) respondents cited heart disease as the leading cause of death in men, versus only 458 (37.0%) in women. Participants with less than high school education (p < .001), an annual family income less than $50,000CAD (p = .022), low functional capacity (p = .042), who were currently smoking (p = .022), who had no family history of heart disease (p < .001), and who had a perception of low personal control (p = .033) had significantly lower CHD knowledge.

Conclusions

Awareness of CHD is not optimal, especially among women, South Asians, and those of low socioeconomic status. CHD patients have a moderate level of disease knowledge overall, but greater education is needed.

Practice implications

Tailored educational approaches may be necessary for those of low socioeconomic status, particularly with regard to the nature of CHD, tests and treatments.     

Anthracycline-associated cardiac and renal damage in rabbits. Evidence for mediation by vasoactive substances

We tested the hypothesis that anthracycline-induced cardiac and renal damage is mediated by vasoactive substances. A 1-minute exposure to 5 micrograms per ml. of doxorubicin (DXR, Adriamycin) produced cardiac histamine release in isolated rabbit hearts. Under conditions in which histamine uptake and metabolism were impaired, the administration of DXR, 2 mg. per kg., over 1 minute was associated with elevations in arterial histamine and catecholamines. The chronic weekly administration of DXR produced severe cardiac and renal damage. The administration of combined histaminic and adrenergic blockade with diphenhydramine, cimetidine, phentolamine, and propranolol (DCPP) pre- and immediately post-DXR resulted in near total protection against DXR-mediated cardiac damage and prevented the majority of the renal lesions. The combined administration of diphenhydramine, cimetidine, phentolamine, and propranolol did not appear to be acting by mechanisms other than blockade of vasoactive amine receptors as cardiac uptake of DXR and the DXR antitumor response were not altered by diphenhydramine, cimetidine, phentolamine, and propranolol. This study demonstrates that anthracycline-associated cardiac and renal toxicity may be mediated by vasoactive substances and that anthracycline cardiomyopathy is potentially preventable.     

Behavioral correlates of oral and postingestive satiety in the rat

Hungry rats display the characteristic "satiety sequence" after drinking a glucose solution: The end of ingestion is accompanied by grooming and exploring, followed by resting. With saccharin solutions over a range of concentrations, however, ingestion is accompanied and followed by persistent grooming and exploring; resting rarely occurs. Gastric preloads of glucose solution promote resting to reinstate the "satiety sequence" after a bout of saccharin ingestion. Therefore, the systemic effects of glucose are sufficient to promote resting. In the absence of postingestive factors, the "satiety sequence" is incomplete following saccharin ingestion as it is after sham-feeding.     

Behavioral correlates of focal hippocampal X-irradiation in rats II

Summary The summing properties of the surround response mechanism of cat retinal ganglion cells were assessed by determining area-sensitivity and area-adaptation curves. The two curves were found to be similar for X and Y cells but for many Y cells adaptive sensitivity was found to be dependent upon the size of the test target. These results suggest that, for X cells, the retinal area over which the surround integrates signals and adaptation are spatially coextensive. Most Y cells appear to pool adaptive effects over a smaller region than they pool signals.Supported by NEI grant No. EY 00701     

Behavioral correlates of maternal depressive symptomatology in conduct-disorder children

We contrasted two predictive models of the impact of maternal depressive symptomatology on child behavior in a study of 51 mothers and their conduct-disorder children. Relations between global measures of maternal distress and child adjustment and observational measures of mother-child interaction were examined. Children of distressed mothers were more maladjusted than children of nondistressed mothers, when maladjustment was measured on the basis of a global rating, but "better" adjusted when measured on the basis of interactional measures. Measures of maternal indiscriminate responding to the child may account for these findings. Results suggest that (a) although conduct-disorder children are generally more maladjusted when their mothers are distressed, they display this maladjustment in a selective fashion, and (b) maternal distress acts as an adverse contextual factor that maintains mother-child interactional difficulties by disrupting the attentional and monitoring skills required for contingent responding.     

Behavioral and psychophysiological correlates of self-presentation in temperamentally shy children.

We examined temporal changes in behavior, regional brain electrical activity (EEG), heart rate, cardiac vagal tone, the startle eyeblink response, and salivary cortisol during a task designed to elicit self-presentation anxiety in a group of 7-year-olds, some of whom were classified as temperamentally shy. We found that temperamentally shy children displayed a significantly greater increase in anxious behavior, a greater increase in right, but not left, frontal EEG activity, and a greater increase in heart rate as the task became more demanding compared with their nonshy counterparts. However, the results failed to reveal any significant group differences on the startle eyeblink and salivary cortisol measures. The present findings extend our prior work, in which we found distinct patterns of psychophysiological activity on baseline measures, to differences on psychophysiological measures collected concurrently during a socially evaluative situation in temperamentally shy children.     

Behavioral and psychophysiological correlates of irregularity in chronic sleep routines.

Behavioral and psychophysiological correlates of irregularity in chronic sleep routines were studied. Two groups each of 18 healthy male university students were classified as either irregular sleepers or control subjects according to retrospective questionnaires, and sleep chart criteria. The control group was composed of persons who slept naturally from 12-8:00 a.m. for 7-8 hr. Irregular sleepers were defined as those whose retiring and awakening times varied by about 2-4 hr. Measurements were obtained from an auditory reaction time task, a mood adjective check list, of sublingual temperature and pulse rate 30 min. after awakening in the (a) morning, at (b) noon, in the (c) afternoon and (d) early evening following an electroencephalographically recorded 12-8:00 a.m. sleep night. At various points in the diurnal cycle irregular sleepers compared with the control group had significantly lower levels of pulse rate and body temperature, but significantly longer reaction times. During the four time periods negative affects (deactivation-sleep, depression, general deactivation, inert-fatigued) were significantly greater and positive mood states (cheerful, energetic, general activation--significantly less in the irregular sleepers. The irregular sleepers averaged significantly less stage 4, and REM, but more stage 2 and transitions between sleep stages. The present results indicate that relatively lowered levels of physiological arousal indexes, psychomotor performance and subjective mood are associated with irregularity in chronic sleep routines of young adult males. These psychobehavioral correlates of chronically maintained sleep pattern variations complement and extend previous findings on degradations in waking functions following acute 2-4 hr temporal shifts of habitual sleep periods. It is postulated that there were psychobehavioral deficits in the irregular sleepers attributable either to selective sleep stage (REM and/or stage 4) deprivation or to the more general consequence of disturbed sleeping patterns per se or to both of these factors.     

Behavioral correlates of human hippocampal delta and theta oscillations during navigation

Previous rodent studies demonstrate movement-related increases in theta oscillations, and recent evidence suggests that multiple navigationally relevant variables are reflected in this activity. Human invasive recordings have revealed movement-related modulations in delta and theta activity, although it is unclear whether additional behavioral variables are responsible for modulating this neural activity during navigation. We tested the role of delta and theta oscillations during navigation by addressing whether spatial-related processing, in addition to speed and task variables, modulates delta and theta activity. Recording from 317 hippocampal intracranial electrodes in 10 patients undergoing seizure monitoring, we observed increasing delta and theta power with increasing virtual speed at significantly more electrodes than would be expected by chance, replicating previous findings in nonhuman mammals. Delta and theta power were more consistently modulated, however, as a function of spatial view, including when subjects looked at stores in the virtual environment both to find a relevant goal or for spatial updating. A significantly larger proportion of electrodes showed view-related effects than speed-related modulations. Although speed, task, and spatial view affected delta and theta activity, individual electrodes were most frequently modulated by only one variable, rather than a combination of variables. These electrodes likely sampled independent delta and theta generators, which reflected movement-related and allocentric processing, respectively. These results extend previous findings in nonhuman mammals and humans, expanding our knowledge of the role of human hippocampal low-frequency oscillations in navigation.     

MMPI correlates of relatively localized brain damage

Examined the MMPI correlates of relatively localized brain damage classified along dimensions of laterality and caudality. Forty patients with lateralized lesions that involved anterior or posterior cerebral areas were studied. Based on a multivariate analysis of variance, results revealed significant differences in MMPI profiles between left hemisphere and right hemisphere lesion groups. The MMPI profile for the left hemisphere lesion group is well within the normal range; the right hemisphere lesion group is beyond normal limits, primarily on scales 8 and 2. Several issues are dis cussed in an effort to integrate these findings with previous studies.     

Behavioral kinetics: A method for deriving qualitative and quantitative changes in sensory responsiveness following septal nuclei damage

An apparatus was designed and constructed that would maximize the reliable and objective recording of a rat's response to footshock following damage to the septal area. A method of data analysis was borrowed from enzyme kinetics to provide two summary measures of the rat's response to increasing shock levels. These results were then compared with data obtained from other measures of reactivity to determine the validity and generalizability of the new summary measures. The results indicate that the apparatus and data reduction method provide two different sources of information about a rat's response to footshock: (1) a statistic representing the qualitative relation between response magnitude and stimulus intensity, and (2) maximal responsiveness, or quantitative index of responsiveness independent of stimulus intensity. The results are discussed in light of the procedure's future utility in comparing certain behavioral events with their physiological correlates following surgical or pharmacological intervention.     

Morphologic and clinical correlates in renal amyloidosis

Morphologic studies and clinical correlations were undertaken in 59 patients with renal amyloidosis. Spicularly arranged amyloid deposits in the glomerular capillary wall were found in all clinical groups but were more frequent and more extensive in primary amyloidosis and multiple myeloma. The severity of proteinuria correlated with the presence of spicules and podocyte destruction rather than with the amount of amyloid in the glomerulus. The spicules were associated with morphologic and clinical evidence of rapid amyloid deposition and a fulminant clinical course. The absence of spicules and the presence of extensive new basement membrane material may produce basement membrane thickening, lamination, and double capillary wall contours, which are associated with mild proteinuria and, rarely, resolution of amyloidosis. Nodular or mixed nodular-diffuse patterns of glomerular amyloid deposits were more frequent in patients with secondary amyloidosis and a longer clinical course. Renal failure generally corresponded to severe glomerular amyloidosis and tubular atrophy. However, a relatively precipitous, usually irreversible decrease in renal function frequently occurred in patients with renal amyloidosis and did not always have a morphologic explanation. The duration of life from the time of biopsy to death in patients with primary amyloidosis (nine months) was markedly shorter than in those with secondary amyloidosis (more than 50 months).     

Behavioral and neurophysiological correlates of nociception in an animal model of photokeratitis

Ocular exposure to ultraviolet irradiation (UVR) induces photokeratitis, a common environmental concern that inflames ocular tissues and causes pain. The central neural mechanisms that contribute to the sensory aspects of photokeratitis after UVR are not known. In awake male rats, ocular surface application of hypertonic saline evoked eye wipe behavior that was enhanced 2–3 days after UVR and returned to control levels by 7 days. Similarly, under isoflurane anesthesia, hypertonic saline-evoked activity of ocular neurons in superficial laminae at the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis/cervical (Vc/C1) region was enhanced 2 days, but not 7 days, after UVR. By contrast, the response of neurons at the interpolaris/caudalis (Vi/Vc) transition region to hypertonic saline was not affected by UVR. The background activity and convergent cutaneous receptive field areas of Vc/C1 or Vi/Vc neurons were not affected by UVR. Aqueous humor protein levels were elevated 2 and 7 days after UVR. UVR enhanced nociceptive behavior, after a latent period, with a time course similar to that of ocular neurons in superficial laminae at the Vc/C1 region. The Vc/C1 region plays a key role in primary hyperalgesia induced by UVR, whereas the Vi/Vc region likely mediates other aspects of ocular function.