Intraventricular microdialysis: a new method for determining monoamine metabolite concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid of freely moving rats

A new method is described to estimate the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of monoamine metabolites (dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA)) in the lateral ventricle of freely moving rats by use of in vivo microdialysis. Both the baseline concentrations of these metabolites and the rate of dopamine (DA) turnover (estimated by the accumulation of total DA metabolites after 200 mg/kg probenecid) were within the range reported when other methods were used to sample CSF. A series of preliminary studies were conducted to demonstrate that this method can be used to repeatedly sample CSF, and to show that the method is sensitive to local changes in dopaminergic activity induced by lesions, drugs or grafts. (1) Unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions of the substantia nigra produced a significant decrease in the CSF concentrations of DOPAC and HVA ipsilateral to the lesion, relative to the contralateral side or to concentrations in animals without lesions. (2) When left and right lateral ventricles were sampled simultaneously in animals with a unilateral 6-OHDA lesion, haloperidol induced an increase in DOPAC and HVA concentrations in CSF on both sides of the brain. Interestingly, the haloperidol-induced increase in CSF concentrations of DA metabolites was greater adjacent to the intact striatum of rats with unilateral 6-OHDA lesions than in animals with no lesion. (3) Finally, in animals with adrenal medulla tissue grafted into the lateral ventricle there was an increase in the CSF concentration of DOPAC compared to pregraft values or to those of animals with control grafts.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/27276/1/0000292.pd

Exploring high mortality rates among people with multiple and complex needs: a qualitative study using peer research methods

Objective To explore the perceived reasons underlying high mortality rates among people with multiple and complex needs.Design Qualitative study using peer research.Setting North East of England.Participants Three focus group discussions were held involving (1) people with lived experience of multiple and complex needs (n=5); (2) front-line staff from health, social care and voluntary organisations that support multiple and complex needs groups (n=7); and (3) managers and commissioners of these organisations (n=9).Results Findings from this study provide valuable perspectives of people with multiple complex needs and those that provide them with support on what may be perceived factors underlying premature mortality. Mental ill health and substance misuse (often co-occurring dual diagnosis) were perceived as influencing premature mortality among multiple and complex needs groups. Perceptions of opportunities to identify people at risk included critical life events (eg, bereavement, relationship breakdown) and transitions (eg, release from prison, completion of drug treatment). Early prevention, particularly supporting young people experiencing adverse childhood experiences, was also highlighted as a priority.Conclusion High mortality in multiple and complex needs groups may be reduced by addressing dual diagnosis, providing more support at critical life events and investing in early prevention efforts. Future interventions could take into consideration the intricate nature of multiple and complex needs and improve service access and navigation

Addressing Stakeholder Concerns Regarding the Effective Use of Bio-Based and Biodegradable Plastics

Bio-based and biodegradable materials have the potential to replace traditional petroleum-based plastics across a range of products and contribute to a more circular economy. However, the uptake of these materials will not succeed unless consumers, manufacturers, and regulators are convinced of their efficacy. Investigating performance and safety concerns put forward by academic and non-academic communities, this paper assesses whether these concerns are being adequately addressed by current policy and regulation. In addition, measures to overcome significant concerns are developed through a series of stakeholder engagement events, informed by the Prospex-CQI-and STIR methodology. Discussions across the stakeholder engagement events have highlighted several concerns that create barriers to market up-take of bio-based and biodegradable plastic products, including the continued confusion regarding terminology and resultant communication, difficulties in navigating the plethora of documents related to safety, the appropriateness of safety documents when applied to new products, and the overall suitability and sustainability of such materials as an alternative to traditional plastics. To overcome these concerns, a series of recommendations for research, policy, and practice are made with respect to the following key areas of concern: regulation and legislative instruments, material quality and performance, market penetration and availability, waste management infrastructure, sourcing and supply chain, communication and information provision, and material health and safety

Understanding the life experiences of people with multiple complex needs: peer research in a health needs assessment

Background Multiple complex needs (MCN) describe a population experiencing a combination of homelessness, substance use, offending and/or mental ill-health. Using peer researchers, this study aimed to explore the perspectives of individuals with lived experience of MCN with regards to (i) issues leading to MCN and (ii) key intervention opportunities. Methods As part of a health needs assessment in Gateshead (North East England), trained peer researchers interviewed 27 adults (aged ≥18 years) with experience of MCN, identified using purposive sampling methods. Peer researchers designed a topic guide for interviews which were audio recorded and thematically analyzed. Results Interviewees reported adverse childhood experiences leading to MCN including abuse, bereavement, parental imprisonment, family break-up and inadequate support. Mental ill-health, substance use, poverty, early experiences of unstable housing and acute homelessness were identified as major precedents for adulthood experiences of MCN. Between 16 and 20 years, access to housing, social and mental health support was perceived as having the potential to prevent circumstances worsening. Individuals perceived removing barriers to mental health, housing and welfare and financial supports could help. Conclusions This study highlights the perceived role austerity, adverse childhood events and current service provision have in current and future experiences of MCN. Individuals expressed a need for future interventions and support to be judgement free and provided by workers who are educated about MCN and related adversity. Involving peer researchers and individuals with experience of MCN in future research and service provision could ensure appropriate measures and supports are put in place

Optimizing viable leukocyte sampling from the female genital tract for clinical trials: an international multi-site study

BACKGROUND: Functional analysis of mononuclear leukocytes in the female genital mucosa is essential for understanding the immunologic effects of HIV vaccines and microbicides at the site of HIV exposure. However, the best female genital tract sampling technique is unclear. Methods and FINDINGS: We enrolled women from four sites in Africa and the US to compare three genital leukocyte sampling methods: cervicovaginal lavages (CVL), endocervical cytobrushes, and ectocervical biopsies. Absolute yields of mononuclear leukocyte subpopulations were determined by flow cytometric bead-based cell counting. Of the non-invasive sampling types, two combined sequential cytobrushes yielded significantly more viable mononuclear leukocytes than a CVL (p<0.0001). In a subsequent comparison, two cytobrushes yielded as many leukocytes (∼10,000) as one biopsy, with macrophages/monocytes being more prominent in cytobrushes and T lymphocytes in biopsies. Sample yields were consistent between sites. In a subgroup analysis, we observed significant reproducibility between replicate same-day biopsies (r = 0.89, p = 0.0123). Visible red blood cells in cytobrushes increased leukocyte yields more than three-fold (p = 0.0078), but did not change their subpopulation profile, indicating that these leukocytes were still largely derived from the mucosa and not peripheral blood. We also confirmed that many CD4 + T cells in the female genital tract express the α4β7 integrin, an HIV envelope-binding mucosal homing receptor. CONCLUSIONS: CVL sampling recovered the lowest number of viable mononuclear leukocytes. Two cervical cytobrushes yielded comparable total numbers of viable leukocytes to one biopsy, but cytobrushes and biopsies were biased toward macrophages and T lymphocytes, respectively. Our study also established the feasibility of obtaining consistent flow cytometric analyses of isolated genital cells from four study sites in the US and Africa. These data represent an important step towards implementing mucosal cell sampling in international clinical trials of HIV prevention

B844: Checklist of the Vascular Plants of Maine Third Revision

This is the third revision of the Checklist of Vascular Plants of Maine. Like its predecessors, it lists all ferns and related plants, conifers, and flowering plants native and naturalized in Maine and records their county-level distribution in the state. The first Check- list (Ogden et al. 1948) was based on specimens in herbaria at the University of Maine (hereafter referred to as MAINE), Portland Society of Natural History, New England Botanical Club, Gray Herbarium of Harvard University, and the private collection of Glen D. Chamberlain of Presque Isle, Maine (now part of MAINE). Bean et al. (1966) revised the checklist to include additions to the flora and update the nomenclature to follow Fernald (1950). Richards et al. (1983) added many new state and county records in the second revision. The purpose of this revision is twofold. First, we have included many new county and state records. Since Richards et al. (1983) there has been considerable collecting in Maine, much of it directed at searching for new state and county records in relatively neglected regions of the state. Second, there have been numerous changes in the scientific names of Maine plants since Fernald (1950), the nomenclatural basis of Richards et al. (1983). We have largely followed Kartesz\u27s (1994) nomenclature (see Taxonomy and Nomenclature section). Recent work on rare plants and establishment of an official list of endangered and threatened plants in Maine (Dibble et al. 1989; Maine State Planning Office 1990) also motivate updating the known distribution and taxonomy of Maine\u27s flora.https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/aes_bulletin/1121/thumbnail.jp

The Lantern Vol. 54, No. 2, Spring 1988

• Burning the Christmas Guests • A Song in Time • I Ask a Question • As If Raggedy Anne • One Man\u27s Escape • Gypsy Caravan • Apartment 14B • The College Inferno • Somewhere Under Manhattan • Trumped • Sunday • In Quest of Creativity • Imperfect Healing • The Game • The Hunger • Peanuts on the Beach • Battlefield Prom • Confessions of the Untrained Eye • Animal Attraction • Street Lamps • Hey, Old Man • In Search of Self-Actualization • Cousin Joe Bob\u27s First Visit to Pulsationshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/lantern/1132/thumbnail.jp