240 research outputs found
Chronic psychosocial stressors in adulthood: Studies in mice, rats and tree shrews
No full textAbstractHuman psychological stress is the major environmental risk factor for major depression and certain of the anxiety disorders. Psychological stressors often occur in the context of the adult social environment, and they or the memory formed of them impact on the individual across an extended period, thereby constituting chronic psychosocial stress (CPS). Psychosocial stressors often involve loss to the individual, such as the ending of a social relationship or the onset of interpersonal conflict leading to loss of social control and predictability. Given the difficulty in studying the etio-pathophysiological processes mediating between CPS and brain and behavior pathologies in human, considerable effort has been undertaken to study manipulations of the social environment that constitute adulthood chronic psychosocial stressors in other mammals. The majority of such research has been conducted in rodents; the focus for a considerable time period was on rats and more recently both rats and mice have been investigated, the latter species in particular providing the opportunity for essential gene x chronic psychosocial stressor interaction studies. Key studies in the tree shrew demonstrate that this approach should not be limited to rodents, however. The animal adult CPS paradigms are based on resident-intruder confrontations. These are typified by the intruder-subject's brief proximate interactions with and attacks by, and otherwise continuous distal exposure to, the resident stressor. In contrast to humans where cognitive capacities are such that the stressor pertains in its physical absence, the periods of continuous distal exposure are apparently essential in these species. Whilst the focus of this review is on the stressor rather than the stress response, we also describe some of the depression- and anxiety disorder-relevant effects on behavior, physiology and brain structure-function of chronic psychosocial stressors, as well as evidence for the predictive validity of such models in terms of chronic antidepressant efficacy. Nonetheless, there are limitations in the methods used to date, most importantly the current emphasis on studying CPS in males, despite the much higher disorder prevalence in women compared to men. Future studies will need to address these limitations
Elementary Jane.
No full textOn cover: The novels of Richard Pryce: Christopher; Jezebel; The burden of a woman; Elementary Jane.Mode of access: Internet
Effects of antenatal dexamethasone treatment on glucocorticoid receptor and calcyon gene expression in the prefrontal cortex of neonatal and adult common marmoset monkeys
No full textBACKGROUND: Synthetic glucocorticoids such as dexamethasone (DEX) are commonly used to promote fetal lung maturation in at-risk preterm births, but there is emerging evidence of subsequent neurobehavioral abnormalities in these children e.g. problems with inattention/hyperactivity. However, molecular pathways mediating effects of glucocorticoid overexposure on motor and cognitive development are poorly understood. METHODS: In this study with common marmoset monkeys, we investigated for neonatal and adulthood effects of antenatal DEX treatment on the expression of the corticosteroid receptors and also calcyon, a risk gene for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Pregnant marmosets were exposed to DEX (5 mg/kg body weight) or vehicle during early (days 42-48) or late (days 90-96) stages of the 144-day pregnancy. RESULTS: In neonates, relative to controls, glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mRNA levels were significantly reduced after the late DEX treatment in the medial, orbital and dorsal PFC and after the early DEX treatment in the dorsal PFC. The early DEX exposure, specifically, resulted in significant reduction in calcyon mRNA expression in the medial, orbital, dorsal and lateral PFC relative to controls. Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) mRNA levels were not significantly affected by DEX treatment. In adults, PFC GR, calcyon, and MR mRNA levels were not significantly affected by early or late prenatal DEX treatment. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that antenatal DEX treatment could lead to short-term alterations in PFC expression of the GR and calcyon genes, with possible neurodevelopmental functional consequences
Between two worlds an architectural history of Emmanuel College, Cambridge
No full textFounded in 1584 on the site of a medieval Dominican priory, Emmanuel has a remarkable history as one of the constituent colleges of the University of Cambridge, but is also a significant ensemble of buildings and gardens. The late seventeenth-century Chapel, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, stands at Emmanuel's core and has become one of the iconic images of Cambridge. Over the centuries, the original structures and the open spaces have been altered and added to, shaped by Fellows and Masters, donors and dons. In turn, these buildings and gardens have helped shape the identity, spirit and reputation of the College and of generations of students. Illustrated with stunning new photography by leading architectural photographer Will Pryce, this book is a journey that takes the reader to the heart of the historic, social and aesthetic character of Emmanuel College, Cambridg
Llywelyn ab Iorwerth : the making of a Welsh prince
No full textLlywelyn ab Iorwerth (1173-1140) has long been considered one of the leading heroes of Wales. The life and rule of Llywelyn, known as Llywelyn the Great, is explored in detail in this thesis. The grandson of Owain Gwynedd, ruler of North Wales from 1137-1170, Llywelyn grew up during the period of turmoil following Owain’s death. After wresting control of Gwynedd from his rival family members in the latter decade of the 12th century, he proceeded to gain recognition as the foremost representative of Wales on the political stage.
Although viewed as a legendary hero in Welsh history, poetry and culture, Llywelyn's route to power is more complex than that. The thesis explores the development of the man from rebel and warlord, to leader and spokesman, to statesman, traces the expansion of his hegemony throughout Wales, and discusses the methods he used to gain and maintain power. Particular attention is paid to his use of family, marriage, allies, rivals and the church to achieve his goals. These insights can be derived from the surviving charters, letters, and other acta of Llywelyn and the Royal Chancery of England, the titles accorded therein, Welsh and English chronicles, as well as, occasionally, Venedotian Poetry. Finally, this thesis seeks to address the limitations on Llywelyn’s successes, in light of succeeding events and concludes with a discussion of Llywelyn’s legendary status in the modern world
The developmental impact of prenatal stress, prenatal dexamethasone and postnatal social stress on physiology, behaviour and neuroanatomy of primate offspring: studies in rhesus macaque and common marmoset
No full textRATIONALE: Exposure of the immature mammalian brain to stress factors, including stress levels of glucocorticoids, either prenatally or postnatally, is regarded as a major regulatory factor in short- and long-term brain function and, in human, as a major aetiological factor in neuropsychiatric disorders. Experimental human studies are not feasible and animal studies are required to demonstrate causality and elucidate mechanisms. A number of studies have been conducted and reviewed in rodents but there are relatively few studies in primates. OBJECTIVES: Here we present an overview of our published studies and some original data on the effects of: (1) prenatal stress on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) re/activity and hippocampus neuroanatomy in juvenile-adolescent rhesus macaques; (2) prenatal dexamethasone (DEX) on HPA activity, behaviour and prefrontal cortex neuroanatomy in infant-adolescent common marmosets; (3) postnatal daily parental separation stress on HPA re/activity, behaviour, sleep and hippocampus and prefrontal cortex neuroanatomy in infant-adolescent common marmoset. RESULTS: Prenatal stress increased basal cortisol levels and reduced neurogenesis in macaque. Prenatal DEX was without effect on HPA activity and reduced social play and skilled motor behaviour in marmoset. Postnatal social stress increased basal cortisol levels, reduced social play, increased awakening and reduced hippocampal glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptor expression in marmoset. CONCLUSIONS: Perinatal stress-related environmental events exert short- and long-term effects on HPA function, behaviour and brain status in rhesus macaque and common marmoset. The mechanisms mediating the enduring effects remain to be elucidated, with candidates including increased basal HPA function and epigenetic programming
Differential Excretion of Urinary Oestrogen by Breeding Females and Daughters in the Red-Bellied Tamarin (Saguinus labiatus)
No full textLawrence, Kansas, Kenneth Spencer Research Library Pryce MS C2:2
No full text154. Lawrence, Kansas, Kenneth Spencer Research Library Pryce MS C2:2 (with 385 Oxford, Bodleian Hatton 115)
Fragment of Æfric's "Sermo in natale unius confessoris"
[Ker 332 Supplement, Gneuss 639]
HISTORY: A leaf originally belonging with the collection of homilies in Bodleian Library, Hatton 115. Latter half ofl lc, probably written at Worcester and glosses by the early 13c "tremulous hand" visible on both sides. Hatton 115 consists of five booklets (Franzen 1998: 44) and was written by several hands; they were not bound up together until the 12c and the ensemble was rebound in the 17c probably after it was acquired by the Bodleian. Christopher, Lord Hatton had the manuscript (Hatton 115) before 1644, and in 1675 it went to the Bodleian. At some time a few leaves were removed, including this one, which originally belonged in the second booklet, between ff. 82 and 83, where six leaves are missing (Franzen 1998: 50 and Colgrave and Hyde 1962: 68; see below).
John Siedzik, Curator of Manuscripts of the Spencer Library, discovered the fragment pasted between the leather and the board of a copy ofKingsmill Long's translation of Barclay his Argenis (2d ed., London: Henry Seile, 1636) (STC 1395); a companion leaf treated in exactly the same way (now Pryce MS C2:2 [153]) was found in the opposite cover; their writing was identified as OE by Alexandra Mason and was removed by Max Adjarian of the Grolier Bindery, Mission, Kansas. This was accomplished a few years after the printed book had been acquired by the Spencer Library,in 1957, from Pearson's Book Rooms in Cambridge (Collins 1976: 48-49). Colgrave and Hyde (1962: 60) date the binding itself (as opposed to the printing) to ca. 1636 x 1656. The leaf had the former Spencer shelfmark of MS Y 104. It is unmounted.
[Note: "The parchment leaves of the manuscript [both C2:2 and C2:1] were cut down to the size of the boards and laid, one to a side, between the leather of the covers and the pasteboard of the boards, and pasted to the leather. Seventeenth-century binders occasionally employed this unusual technique to strengthen the extra-thin sheets of pasteboard which they used when they had a thick leather, although it is met with more often in vellum bindings than in leather ones" (Colgrave and Hyde 1962: 61 ).
Pathos and patter in real estate parlance
No full textThis paper presents the first systematic analysis of estate agent language and employs Aristotle’s ponderings on the art of persuasion as a means of classifying the peculiar parlance of property peddlers. “Des. Res.”, “rarely available”, “viewing essential” – these are all part of the peculiar parlance of housing advertisements. The question is whether the selling agent’s penchant for rhetoric is uniform across a single urban system or whether there are variations, even within a relatively limited geographical area. We are also interested in how the use of superlatives varies over the market cycle. For example, are estate agents more inclined to use hyperbole when the market is buoyant or when it is flat? This paper attempts to answer these questions by applying textual analysis to a unique dataset of 49,926 records of real estate transactions in the West of Scotland over the period 1999 to 2006. Our analysis has implications for our understanding of the agency behaviour of housing market professionals and endeavours to open up a new avenue of research into the market-impact of rhetoric in the language of selling
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