Discriminative stimulus effects of etorphine in rhesus monkeys

Two rhesus monkeys were trained to discriminate the IM injection of etorphine (0.001 mg/kg) from saline in a task in which 20 consecutive responses on one of two levers resulted in food delivery. In both monkeys, etorphine (0.0001–0.0018), meperidine (0.1–1.0 mg/kg), morphine (0.1–3.2 mg/kg), and codeine (0.3–3.2) produced dose-related increases in the percentage of total session responses that occurred on the etorphine-appropriate lever. In contrast, ethylketazocine, SKF-10047, and pentazocine, at doses up to and including those that suppressed response rates, produced responses primarily on the saline-appropriate lever. Thus, etorphine-like narcotics, including morphine, have discriminative stimulus effects in rhesus monkeys which can be distinguished from those produced by narcotics with nonmorphine-like actions such as ethylketazocine, SKF-10047, and pentazocine.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/46422/1/213_2004_Article_BF00431828.pd

Exoplanet diversity in the era of space-based direct imaging missions

Community White Paper: submitted to the National Academy of Sciences Exoplanet Science StrategyThis white paper discusses the diversity of exoplanets that could be detected by future observations, so that comparative exoplanetology can be performed in the upcoming era of large space-based flagship missions. The primary focus will be on characterizing Earth-like worlds around Sun-like stars. However, we will also be able to characterize companion planets in the system simultaneously. This will not only provide a contextual picture with regards to our Solar system, but also presents a unique opportunity to observe size dependent planetary atmospheres at different orbital distances. We propose a preliminary scheme based on chemical behavior of gases and condensates in a planet's atmosphere that classifies them with respect to planetary radius and incident stellar flux

Similarity of the discriminative stimulus effects of ketamine, cyclazocine, and dextrorphan in the pigeon

Separate groups of pigeons were trained to discriminate the IM injection of ketamine, cyclazocine, or dextrorphan from saline. Each of the training drugs and phencyclidine produced dose-related, drug-appropriate responding in each group of birds. In contrast, ethylketazocine and nalorphine generally produced responding appropriate for saline. These results indicate that common elements of discriminable effects exist among ketamine, cyclazocine, and dextrorphan, structurally dissimilar compounds that are generally considered to belong to distinct pharmacological classes.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/46423/1/213_2004_Article_BF00422419.pd

Association of Kidney Disease Outcomes With Risk Factors for CKD: Findings From the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study

BackgroundVarious indicators of progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) have been used as outcomes in clinical research studies. The effect of using varying measures on the association of risk factors with CKD progression has not been well characterized.Study designProspective cohort study.Setting & participantsThe Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study (N=3,939) enrolled men and women with mild to moderate CKD, 48% of whom had diabetes and 42% were self-reported black race.PredictorsAge, race, sex, diabetes, baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), proteinuria, and other established CKD risk factors.OutcomesDeath, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and eGFR events, including: (1) eGFR halving, (2) eGFR<15mL/min/1.73m(2), (3) eGFR halving and <15mL/min/1.73m(2), (4) eGFR decrease of 20mL/min/1.73m(2), (5) eGFR halving or decrease of 20mL/min/1.73m(2), and (6) eGFR decrease of 25% and change in CKD stage.ResultsMean entry eGFR was 44.9mL/min/1.73m(2). Annual rates of death, ESRD, and eGFR halving were 2.5%, 4.0%, and 6.1%, respectively, during an average follow-up of 5.4 years. Associations between risk factors and ESRD and eGFR events were similar across different definitions. However, these associations were substantially different from those with death. HRs for ESRD, eGFR halving, and death in the highest compared to the lowest proteinuria category were 11.83 (95% CI, 8.40-16.65), 11.19 (95% CI, 8.53-14.68), and 1.47 (95% CI, 1.10-1.96), respectively.LimitationsParticipants may not be representative of the entire CKD population.ConclusionsUsing ESRD or eGFR events, but not death, in the definition of kidney disease outcomes is appropriate in follow-up studies to identify risk factors for CKD progression