Pharmacology of Ultrasonic Vocalizations in adult Rats: Significance,Call Classification and Neural Substrate

Pharmacological studies of emotional arousal and initiation of emotional states in rats measured by their ultrasonic vocalizations are reviewed. It is postulated that emission of vocalizations is an inseparable feature of emotional states and it evolved from mother-infant interaction. Positive emotional states are associated with emission of 50 kHz vocalizations that could be induced by rewarding situations and dopaminergic activation of the nucleus accumbens and are mediated by D1, D2, and partially D3 dopamine receptors. Three biologically significant subtypes of 50 kHz vocalizations have been identified, all expressing positive emotional states: (1) flat calls without frequency modulation that serve as contact calls during social interactions; (2) frequencymodulated calls without trills that signal rewarding and significantly motivated situation; and (3) frequency-modulated calls with trills or trills themselves that are emitted in highly emotional situations associated with intensive affective state. Negative emotional states are associated with emission of 22 kHz vocalizations that could be induced by aversive situations, muscarinic cholinergic activation of limbic areas of medial diencephalon and forebrain, and are mediated by M2 muscarinic receptors. Two biologically significant subtypes of 22 kHz vocalizations have been identified, both expressing negative emotional sates: (1) long calls that serve as alarm calls and signal external danger; and (2) short calls that express a state of discomfort without external danger. The positive and negative states with emission of vocalizations are initiated by two ascending reticular activating subsystems: the mesolimbic dopaminergic subsystem as a specific positive arousal system, and the mesolimbic cholinergic subsystem as a specific negative arousal system.     

The 2nd Hungarian National Growth Study (2003–2006)

Background: Secular changes in the pattern of growth and maturation have been analysed by many regional surveys in Hungary during the last century. The first representative Hungarian National Growth Study was carried out between 1980–1983.

Aim: The main objectives of the 2nd Hungarian National Growth Study (2003–2006) were to construct reference data of the most important indicators of body development and nutritional status in Hungarian children (aged 3–18 years, n = 25 278); to analyse the influence of nutrition, habitual physical activity and socio-economic background factors on body development; to study secular changes in the pattern of development in Hungary in the last 20 years; and to analyse the relationship between body development and psychic health.

Subjects and methods: Anthropometric dimensions and proportions, sexual maturity status, body composition, nutritional status and body shape were used for body developmental estimation. Some indicators of psychic health were also investigated.

Results: Reference centiles and data of all absolute body dimensions, some relative body dimensions and the pattern of eating and habitual physical activity have been constructed.

Conclusion: Secular changes in the growth and maturation pattern are still taking place in the Hungarian population; sexual maturation in boys has shifted to a younger age.     

A Randomized Pilot Study of a Phone-Based Mindfulness and Weight Loss Program

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of integrating mindfulness training into a phone-based weight loss program to improve outcomes in those with high levels of emotional eating. Participants were 75 enrollees into an employer-sponsored weight loss program who reported high levels of overeating in response to thoughts and feelings. Seventy-five overweight and obese participants (92% female, 65% Caucasian, aged 26 to 68 years) were randomized to the new mindfulness weight loss program (n = 50) or the standard behavioral weight loss program (n = 25). Both programs consisted of 11 coaching calls with health coaches and registered dietitians with supplemental online materials. Satisfaction, engagement, and percent weight lost did not significantly differ for intervention vs. control at six months. Intervention participants had significantly better scores at six-month follow-up on mindful eating, binge eating, experiential avoidance, and one mindfulness subscale. Exploratory analyses showed that improvements on several measures predicted more weight loss in the intervention group. This pilot study found that integrating mindfulness into a brief phone-based behavioral weight loss program was feasible and acceptable to participants, but did not produce greater weight loss on average, despite hypothesized changes in mindful eating. Only one third of intervention participants reported participating in mindfulness exercises regularly. Mechanisms of change observed within the intervention group suggest that for adults with high levels of emotional eating those who embrace mindful eating and meditation may lose more weight with a mindfulness intervention.     

Visually detected NREM Stage 2 sleep spindles in kindergarten children are associated with current and future emotional and behavioural characteristics

Sleep electroencephalogram spindles are associated with efficient cortical–subcortical connectivity, and intellectual and learning abilities. In the present study, we assessed healthy preschoolers with a twofold aim: (i) to explore associations of non‐rapid eye movement S2 spindles with emotional/behavioural characteristics cross‐sectionally; and (ii) longitudinally. A total of 43 children who were 5 years old underwent objective sleep electroencephalogram monitoring in their homes. Emotional and behavioural dimensions were assessed by parents and teachers with the Strengths & Difficulties Questionnaire at baseline and at follow‐up 1 year later. Non‐rapid eye movement S2 spindles were visually scored and compared with Strengths & Difficulties Questionnaire dimensions. High non‐rapid eye movement S2 spindle density was associated with less internalizing behaviour, more prosocial behaviour and a low total problem score. In girls, high non‐rapid eye movement S2 spindle density was related to low hyperactivity, while in boys it was associated with less internalizing behaviour, more externalizing behaviour and more hyperactivity. Longitudinally, a higher number of non‐rapid eye movement S2 spindles at 5 years old predicted fewer peer problems 12 months later. In kindergarten children, high non‐rapid eye movement S2 spindle density is associated with observable current and future favourable emotional/behavioural patterns. However, gender differences were also found, as should be taken into account in future studies.     

An economic analysis of the demand for cannabis: some results from South Africa

Abstract

Background: The full legalization of cannabis is currently being deliberated in South Africa. We aim to better understand how the market operates by investigating how cannabis consumers respond to price changes and what factors are associated with the price that consumers pay.

Methods: We estimate the conditional price elasticity of demand using data on price, quantity, and quality from a cross-sectional survey of cannabis consumers across South Africa. We also investigate to what extent quality, quantity bought, income, and demographic variables influence the price paid for cannabis.

Results: The price of cannabis differs greatly by quality: medium-quality is almost double the price of low quality, while the price of high-quality cannabis is nine times that of low-quality cannabis. Depending on the model specification, we estimate that a 10% increase in the price per gram of cannabis is associated with an approximate 5–6% decrease in the quantity demanded. There is some evidence that the demand for medium- and high-quality cannabis is more price elastic than low quality. The price per gram is negatively associated with the quantity purchased and positively associated with income.

Conclusions: Price is a significant determinant of cannabis consumption. Increases in prices result in a decrease in quantity demanded.     

Acute decrease in the stiffness of resting muscle belly due to static stretching

The purpose of the study was to examine the acute effect of static stretching exercise on the resting stiffness of gastrocnemius muscle belly. Ten healthy young adults performed standing wall stretching in dorsiflexion for 1 min at a time and repeated five times. Before and after stretching, the shear modulus was measured in medial and lateral heads of the resting gastrocnemius muscle with ultrasound shear‐wave elastography. After the stretching, dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) of the ankle joint increased (P < 0.01) by 3.9° and returned in 20 min. Immediately after stretching, shear modulus decreased (P < 0.01) by 14%, compared with before stretching across muscle heads. The decrease in shear modulus returned in 20 min after stretching. In the comparison group of 10 additional subjects, the standing intervention without stretching had no influence on these measures. There was a negative correlation between dorsiflexion ROM and shear modulus in either head before and after stretching. The results demonstrate the transient decreases in the stiffness of the resting gastrocnemius muscle belly and indicate that joint flexibility is greater in individuals with lower resting stiffness of the muscle belly.     

病变深度对乳腺良恶性病变超声弹性成像诊断效果的影响

目的 探讨占位性病变的深度对乳腺良、恶性病变超声弹性成像诊断效果的影响.方法 选取2010年2月～2014年10月进行超声弹性成像诊断的乳腺占位患者190例,按照能否获得满意弹性图像为标准分为满意组(170例)和不满意组(20例),收集两组患者病灶位置、病灶直径大小等资料,计算不同深度病灶的超声弹性成像的灵敏度、特异度、准确度,并进行统计学分析.结果 深度≤2.0 cm的病灶获得满意弹性成像的数量明显多于＞2.0 cm的病灶,二者图像满意率差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);直径≤2.0 cm的病灶,图像满意组人数多于图像不满意组(P＜0.05);病灶深度＜0.5 cm时,准确度和特异度最高,＞1.5 cm时灵敏度降低.结论 病灶越浅、脂肪越少、乳房层越薄,越容易得到满意的弹性图像;同等深度时,病灶直径越大,对成像越有利,病灶病变深度会影响成像的准确度、特异度、灵敏度.