38 research outputs found
Art, Biography, Sexuality: Patrick Procktor and Keith Vaughan
No full textThis critical review forms a reflection on the research published within the following publications:
Patrick Procktor: Art and Life (Unicorn Press, 2010)
Keith Vaughan: The Mature Oils 1946-1977, (Sansom & Co., 2012)
The research is on two artists, Patrick Procktor (1936-2003), and Keith Vaughan (1912-1977). The monograph on Procktor – previously one of the least documented of the generation of artists who came to prominence in London in the Sixties – positions him in a history of art from which he had been notably absent. The research on Vaughan asserts a new reading of his work, one that is both deeper and more nuanced in its analysis of the ways in which personal experience and sexuality are encoded autobiographically within his work. Crucially, in both artists biography and work are symbiotically linked; the research therefore examines the links between life and art.
Revisionary in intent, the work examines trajectories of experience of gay British (or rather, English) artists in the twentieth century, artists who sought to express themselves and forge careers within the constraints of a heteronormative society, albeit one in which attitudes to sexuality were undergoing change. As gay men, both were constrained by the social mores of their times, and each used painting as a means to affirm personal and sexual identities. A key research interest is in the ways in which sexuality and persona are reflected in critical responses to the artist’s work: in Vaughan, Procktor and other gay male artists of the period. The writing on both Procktor and Vaughan examines the relationship between their personal and professional/artistic lives, framed within a broader socio-political and art historical context. It asserts the place of biography as a means to understand and form new readings of the work. The work adds substantially to the literature and wider discourse on post-war British painting and social history
Developmental Differences in the Accumbal Dopaminergic Response to Repeated Ethanol Exposure
No full textRecent research indicates that alcohol use/abuse is often initiated during the adolescent period and that brain reinforcement pathways (e.g., the mesolimbic dopamine [DA] pathway) are undergoing developmental transition. Our research focuses on the effects of ethanol administration on neural mechanisms associated with addiction in preadolescent (postnatal day [PND] 25), adolescent (PND 35, PND 45), and young adult (PND 60) animals. Using conditioned place preference (CPP) testing, we have shown that adolescent animals are unique in their responses to ethanol. Since CPP has been associated with contextually conditioned incentive motivation, our results suggest that younger animals may be more vulnerable to addiction. The present data reveal that adolescent animals are neurochemically distinct in response to ethanol\u27s effects. Using in vivo microdialysis within the nucleus accumbens septi (NAcc), we have determined the DAergic response across development. Results reveal that basal levels of DA transition during the adolescent period and differ from preadolescent or adult animals. Specifically, PND 45 animals exhibited significantly higher, and PND 25 significantly lower, basal DA levels than all other ages examined. Further, repeated exposure to ethanol elevated basal DA levels significantly regardless of age or dose. Basal 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC)/DA ratio also differed as a function of age, with PND 35 and PND 60 animals demonstrating the highest ratios, and PND 45 animals producing the lowest baseline levels. Repeated ethanol exposure produced significant changes in basal ratios as a function of age. Interestingly, PND 45 animals exhibited no change in ratios with repeated exposure, while all other ages demonstrated a dose‐dependent rise in DOPAC/DA ratios. These data indicate an age‐dependent difference in the homeostatic alterations of mesolimbic systems in response to repeated ethanol treatment, an effect that may manifest itself as differences in behavioral responsivity and conditionability to the drug and the drug\u27s effects
Repeated Ethanol Exposure During Adolescence Alters the Developmental Trajectory of Dopaminergic Output from the Nucleus Accumbens Septi
No full textIndividuals who begin using alcohol prior to 14 years of age are 4 times more likely to progress to addiction than those who do not initiate use until 21 years of age. The nucleus accumbens septi undergoes dramatic developmental transitions during the adolescent period, and dopaminergic activity within this region has been identified as a central neurochemical mediator of drug reward, addiction and dependence. Thus, alcohol-induced neurochemical alterations in dopaminergic activity within this brain region likely mediate the heightened vulnerability to addiction observed in adolescent alcohol users. To investigate this idea, Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to intraperitoneal injections of either saline or ethanol (0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 g/kg) twice daily over four days beginning on postnatal day 21, 31, 41 or 56. Cannulas were implanted toward the nucleus accumbens septi, subsequent in vivo microdialysis was used to collect samples, and both basal and ethanol-stimulated dopamine overflow was measured using high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. A developmental transition in basal levels of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens septi was apparent with peak levels at postnatal day 45. An ethanol challenge produced unique responses across ages, with greater peak effects relative to baseline in younger animals (postnatal day 25 and 35). Following repeated exposure to ethanol, a significant increase in basal dopamine was apparent for all ages, and when these animals were challenged with ethanol, peak effects relative to baseline were decreased in younger animals, but unchanged in older animals (postnatal day 45 and 60). Results indicate that there is a key developmental transition in the ability of rats to adapt to the effects of repeated ethanol exposure, which occurs between postnatal day 35 and 45. This alteration may explain the increased addiction vulnerability observed in individuals who initiate alcohol use during early adolescence
The Effects of Repeated Alcohol Exposure on the Neurochemistry of the Periadolescent Nucleus Accumbens Septi
No full textSubstance abuse is a major issue in today\u27s society and is an issue of critical importance in the adolescent population. Research indicates that substance use is often initiated during the adolescent period and that brain reward areas are still undergoing changes during this time. Despite this, little research has investigated the effects of repeated drug use on the reward mechanisms of periadolescent animals. For this reason, the present study examined the effects of repeated ethanol (EtOH) administration on the responsiveness of the nucleus accumbens septi (NAcc) to either EtOH or saline challenge. The data indicate that repeated exposure to EtOH produces temporal shifts in the dopaminergic (DAergic) activity of the NAcc, with peak activity occurring earlier. Importantly, following repeated injections of EtOH, saline injections alone elicit DA increases in the NAcc suggesting that the context of alcohol administration produces fundamental changes in the way that neuro-chemical reinforcement mechanisms respond. The expectancy of the drug alone elicits reward-related activity within the NAcc
Repeated Cocaine Exposure: Effects on Catecholamines in the Nucleus Accumbens Septi of Periadolescent Animals.
No full textSubstance abuse is a major issue in today’s society, and is an issue of critical importance in the adolescent population. Research indicates that substance use is often initiated during the adolescent period, and that brain reward areas are still undergoing changes during this time. Despite this, little research has investigated the effects of repeated drug use on the reward mechanisms of periadolescent animals. For this reason, the present study examined the effects of repeated cocaine administration on the responsiveness of the nucleus accumbens septi (NAcc) to either cocaine or saline challenge. The data indicate that repeated exposure to cocaine produces temporal shifts in the dopaminergic (DAergic) activity of the NAcc, with peak activity occurring earlier. Importantly, following repeated injections of cocaine, saline injections alone elicit increases followed by a subsequent suppression in DA overflow in the NAcc. These results suggest that the context of cocaine administration produces fundamental changes in the way that neurochemical reinforcement mechanisms respond. The expectancy of the drug alone elicits reward-related activity within the NAcc, which may play a critical role in the development of addiction
Detection of mastitis
No full textPT: J; CR: 1978, CURRENT CONCEPTS BOV BROWN RW, 1969, MICROBIOLOGICAL PROC CARTER GR, 1978, DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE ERNO H, 1973, ACT VET SC, V14, P436 GRAY DM, 1962, AM J VET RES, V23, P541 JACKSON ER, 1980, VET REC, V107, P37 JASPER DE, 1977, J AM VET MED ASS, V197, P1168 JASPER DE, 1980, CALIF VET, V4, P24 KLASTRUP O, 1970, 6 P INT C CATTL DIS KOWALSKI JJ, 1974, 7TH P ANN CONV AM AS, P119 KOWALSKI JJ, 1977, J AM VET MED ASSOC, V197, P1175 MCDONALD JS, 1973, 12TH ANN NATL MAST C, P28 MCDONALD JS, 1976, AM J VET RES, V37, P377 MEEK AH, 1980, J FOOD PROTECT, V43, P10 PHILPOT WN, 1967, J DAIRY SCI, V50, P975 ROBERTS SJ, 1969, J AM VET MED ASS 1, V155, P157 SCHALM OW, 1971, BOVINE MASTITIS SCHNEIDER R, 1966, AM J VET RES, V27, P1169; NR: 18; TC: 4; J9: VET CLIN N AMER-LARGE ANIM; PG: 20; GA: MW924Source type: Electronic(1
An Animal Model of Sensation Seeking: The Adolescent Rat
No full textPrevious research has established a strong relationship between a rodent\u27s preference for novelty and sensitivity to psychomotor stimulants. Rats with greater sensitivity to the motoric effects of amphetamine exhibit higher preferences for novelty. Additionally, animals with high novelty preference scores are more easily drug conditioned and are more sensitive to, and can more accurately discriminate, amphetamine doses. Novelty preference in animals has been compared to sensation seeking in humans and is strongly correlated with drug use and addiction vulnerability. Thus, the present studies employed a playground maze procedure to measure changes in novelty preference across age following either four or eight habituation trials using eight distinct objects. Early‐adult (postnatal day [PND] 59) animals did not exhibit a significant preference for a novel object regardless of total number of habituation trials. Early‐adolescent animals (PND 34) exhibited a preference for the novel object in fewer than four habituation trials, but exhibited no preference with increased habituation trials. These results are counterintuitive and may demonstrate an overgeneralization of the habituation trials specific to adolescent animals. Given that adolescence is a period of heightened exploration, one would expect adolescent animals to demonstrate an enhanced preference for novel stimuli using this paradigm. However, it is possible that the complexity of the task, as presented, reveals differences in the establishment and behavioral manifestation of associations during adolescence. To address this issue, a separate novelty paradigm was implemented using an open‐field habituation procedure followed by the introduction of a single novel object during the testing period. This revised design provides the foundation needed to better assess novelty‐induced locomotor activity and novelty preference in adolescent rats
Stereotaxic Localization of the Developing Nucleus Accumbens Septi
No full textThe nucleus accumbens septi (NAcc) has been implicated as a mediator of a variety of disorders, most notably substance abuse. The development of this system is a critical area for investigation, and has been largely overlooked. Specifically, few studies have focussed on dopamine (DA), its neurochemical pathways and the long-term consequences of manipulating the dopaminergic (DAergic) system in the developing animal. Important insight into the establishment of addiction, its development and time course, may be found by examining the development of the periadolescent DA system, specifically the mesocorticolimbic system. Recent developmental studies demonstrate dramatic changes in DAergic levels, receptor concentrations and transporter levels during periadolescent development. These ontogenetic changes, as well as drug exposure during development, may predispose the adolescent animal to addiction. Given that humans typically experiment with and initiate drug use during the adolescent period it is proposed that developmental alterations in the mesolimbic DA projection areas, specifically the NAcc, are an essential area for investigation in drug addiction. The present paper presents formulas for the weight-based calculation of stereotaxic coordinates for the NAcc in rats across development to facilitate further research in the area
Cyclophosphamide- and doxorubicin-induced impairment of high affinity choline uptake and spatial memory can be prevented by dietary choline supplementation in breast tumor bearing mice.
No full textAC chemotherapy (Adriamycin and Cytoxan, i.e., doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, respectively), a common treatment for breast cancer, can lead to significant cognitive side effects, known as Chemotherapy-Related Cognitive Impairments (CRCIs). These cognitive impairments can persist over 20 years and significantly affect the quality of life for cancer patients and survivors. AC chemotherapy is known to impair ovarian function and reduce circulating estradiol (E2), an effect that can decrease high-affinity choline uptake (HACU) and reduce acetylcholine (ACh) availability. Because ACh is involved in attention, learning and memory function we hypothesized that the cognitive deficits observed during and after adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) are associated with compromised high affinity choline uptake (HACU) due to suppressed ovarian function. Increasing available choline has been demonstrated to enhance HACU under conditions of demand for ACh, therefore we propose that choline supplementation can mitigate CRCIs by maintaining cholinergic function throughout and following chemotherapy treatment. Our study demonstrates cognitive deficits in tumor-bearing but not non-tumor-bearing mice during and following AC chemotherapy, suggesting that tumors enhance vulnerability to CRCIs. We found that HACU was impaired in tumor-bearing mice administered AC chemotherapy and that a choline-enriched diet can mitigate both the reduction of HACU induced by chemotherapy and deficits in spatial memory, suggesting a protective role of dietary choline against disruptions in HACU and cognitive impairment caused by chemotherapy. This underscores the potential use of dietary choline supplementation as a part of chemotherapeutic interventions
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Early Olfactory Learning as a Model System to study Neurobehavioral Deficits
No full textThe goal of basic research examining the deficits underlying fetal alcohol syndrome is to develop an animal model which allows investigation and assessment of the neural and cognitive impairments resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure. The following review focuses on animal models and their relationship to human deficits following prenatal alcohol exposure. In addition, this review examines a unique, well-established model system which may permit an increased understanding of the role of alcohol on the developing brain and cognitive behavior. Specifically, large metabolic, neurochemical, neuropharmacological, morphological and neurophysiological changes in young rats have been reported as a consequence of early olfactory preference conditioning, a form of learning that normally occurs during both human and rat development. This olfactory odor preference training paradigm can be used to assess changes in learning as well as the neural substrates underlying this learning. Olfactory preference training has been used to examine: 1) learning, as demonstrated by a behavioral preference for an odor previously paired with stimulation which mimics maternal care; 2) metabolism, by measuring 2-deoxyglucose uptake and distribution in response to the trained odor; 3) neurotransmitter levels, by using in vivo microdialysis, to examine changes in neurotransmitter levels in the olfactory bulb in response to a trained odor. Using in vivo microdialysis enables measurement of both baseline responsiveness of alcohol-exposed pups as well as learned responses at several different developmental ages. The established neural features of this olfactory model include an increase in behavioral preference for a trained odor, increases in 2-DG uptake in specific foci within the olfactory bulb in response to the odor, and increases in dopamine in response to olfactory preference training stimuli, as well as conditioned increases in norepinephrine following olfactory preference training. Using these known behavioral, metabolic and neurochemical indices in control pups allows identification of some of the neurotransmitter systems involved in deficits and the neurobiological basis for impairments induced by prenatal alcohol exposure
