The effects of menstrual phase and nicotine abstinence on nicotine intake and on biochemical and subjective measures in women smokers: a A preliminary report

Nicotine intake, menstrual and smoking withdrawal symptomatology, and baseline cortisol and MHPG were assessed in nine women smokers under conditions of ad lib smoking and overnight abstinence in three menstrual phases (early follicular, mid-to-late follicular, and late luteal). A trend towards higher nicotine intake p <0.100 was observed in the mid-to-late follicular phase. Although me menstrual symptomatology was not significantly elevated during the smoking abstinence condition overall, abstinence appeared to prevent the normal reduction in symptomatology during the mid-to-late follicular phase that occurred under conditions of ad lib smoking. Menstrual and withdrawal symptoms were highly correlated, and both were most pronounced during the late luteal/abstinence condition. The smoking-specific item “craving” reflected this pattern, though in attenuated form, suggesting that the observed exacerbation of withdrawal symptomatology was not simply due to generalized dysphoria, as queried in both instruments. MHPG was significantly elevated in the late luteal phase, whereas cortisol was significantly higher during ad lib smoking than during abstinence and tended to be highest in the mid-to-late follicular phase. Further investigation will be needed to determine the functional significance of these findings for understanding and treating smoking in women.     

Gender differences in young adults' beliefs about sunscreen use.

This study employs focus group methodology to explore gender differences in sunscreen use. Guided by the theory of reasoned action, males and females were found to differ on each of the following constructs: behavior, behavioral beliefs, and normative beliefs. Males and females differed in their sunscreen use, with females adopting a more preventive style of sunscreen use and males a more reactive style. Males and females differed in their salient beliefs that motivated their sunscreen use, many of which were related to traditional American gender roles. In addition, although males and females were aware of both positive and negative sources of normative beliefs regarding sunscreen use, females received more encouragement from their mothers and peers than males. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for the design of future interventions.     

A portable system for measuring cutaneous thresholds for warming and cooling.

Measurement of cutaneous thermal thresholds is a valuable technique for detecting small fibre neuropathy. A robust and portable microcomputer controlled system, which separately measures thresholds for warming and cooling, is described. Thresholds at three sites have been measured; the cheek, the dorsum of the hand and the sole of the foot. Regional variability and a correlation with age have been found, indicating the sensitivity of this system.     

Cardiac Mitochondrial Abnormalities in a Mouse Model of the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Mitochondrial enzymes and respiration were studied in the hearts of mice exposed to ethanol in utero from gestational Day 8 to parturition. This treatment had previously been shown by electron microscopy to result in myofibril loss and mitochondrial abnormalities. Ethanol was administered to pregnant mice by a liquid diet paradigm and pair-fed dams were used as controls. Ethanol exposure in utero reduced the activities of two mitochondrial inner membrane enzymes, cytochrome c oxidase and succinate dehydrogenase, in the hearts of perinatal mice. Secondly, mitochondrial respiration under both State 3 and 4 conditions with a NAD-linked substrate was depressed in the hearts obtained from the ethanol-exposed fetal mice. However, when a flavin-linked substrate was used, State 3 (ADP-stimulated) but not State 4 respiration was depressed. This study illustrates that in utero exposure to ethanol is deleterious to the functioning of cardiac mitochondria in newborn mice, which in turn could contribute to the development of the heart pathologies resent in the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.     

Generation and characterization of a human monoclonal antibody that neutralizes diverse HIV-1 isolates in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to develop and characterize human monoclonal antibodies (HuMAb) that neutralize HIV-1. DESIGN: Based upon previous studies involving the generation of HuMAb that neutralize other enveloped viruses, we thought it feasible to generate HuMAb that might neutralize HIV-1. METHODS: A HuMAb was generated by fusing splenic B-cells from an HIV-positive patient with a mouse myeloma cell line. Flow cytometry was used to determine surface reactivity of the HuMAb on HIV-infected and non-infected cells. Radioimmunoprecipitation was employed to elucidate the antigen recognized by the HuMAb. A cell survival assay was used to determine the ability of the HuMAb to neutralize divergent isolates of HIV-1 in the presence or absence of complement. A gp120-CD4 inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed in order to initiate studies to determine the mechanism of neutralization by the HuMAb. RESULTS: An anti-HIV HuMAb was generated that neutralized two HIV-1 isolates (IIIB and MN) without complement and which neutralized one divergent isolate (RF) and one clinical isolate in the presence of complement. This HuMAb, designated S1-1, was found, by flow cytometric analysis, to react with the surface of HIV-1-infected but not with uninfected cells. Radioimmunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated that S1-1 binds to native HIV gp120, but not dithiothreitol (DTT)-treated gp120. In addition, HuMAb S1-1 did not bind to denatured HIV antigens in Western blot analysis. HuMAb S1-1 effectively inhibited the binding of gp120 to soluble CD4 in ELISA. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the epitope recognized by S1-1 is conformational and conserved among diverse HIV-1 isolates and may represent an uncharacterized HIV neutralizing domain within or close to the CD4 binding domain on gp120. HuMAb S1-1 might have a role to play in vaccine development or passive immunotherapy.     

Fetal heart rate response to milk predicts expression of the stretch response.

On the day before birth, rat fetuses respond to an intraoral infusion of milk with a stretch response that resembles the behavior of suckling pups at the nipple. Unlike the postnatal response, which occurs coincident with milk ejection, the fetal stretch occurs 3-5 min after milk infusion. Measurement of fetal heart rate (HR) is useful as a predictor of the fetal stretch response. Expression of the stretch response was preceded by a reduction in HR variability and a transient episode of bradycardia. Fetuses that did not stretch showed a delayed reduction in HR variability and no evidence of HR deceleration. Systematic changes in fetal HR may be indicative of changes in fetal state associated with milk infusion and the stretch response.     

Rising mortality from motor neurone disease in Sweden 1961–1990: the relative role of increased population life expectancy and environmental factors

Recent studies of mortality from motor neurone disease (MND) in Sweden have demonstrated rising levels of mortality from the disease, especially amongst older age groups. Case-control investigations have suggested that certain environmental factors are significantly related to variations in mortality from the disease, and are associated with a probable individual susceptibility to MND. This study applies an innovative epidemiological technique to longitudinal and cohort analysis of Swedish mortality from MND during the period 1961 to 1990. Survival modelling shows that a subpopulation susceptible to MND exists in Sweden, as has been demonstrated in other countries. The increased life expectancy of the Swedish population since 1961 has resulted in more of that susceptible population living to the ages at which MND is expressed, explaining the majority of the increase in mortality from the disease. However, environmental factors may play a role in accelerating the course of MND and may affect the timing of death within the susceptible sub-population.