Keeping Love Alive: Communication Modes, Relational Satisfaction and Communication Satisfaction in Long-Distance Dating Relationships

Couples in long-distance dating relationships (LDDRs) must determine how to best communicate with one another to maintain their relationship without the advantage of being geographically close. Fortunately, with advances in technology, individuals in LDDRs have multiple options regarding how they choose to communicate with their relational partner. These individuals may utilize more traditional modes, such as letter writing or phone calls, or more modern modes, such as text messaging or social media. However, not all of these communication modes may allow for satisfying communication or communication that benefits the relationship. Therefore, this study investigates how the frequency of use of different communication modes correlates with communication satisfaction and relational satisfaction. The responses of 126 participants were analyzed. Phone calls were found to correlate with the highest communication satisfaction, while text messaging correlated with the highest relational satisfaction. The results were examined through the lens of idealization as well as the advantages and disadvantages of communication modes that the participants addressed

Cannabinoid CB2R receptors are upregulated with corneal injury and regulate the course of corneal wound healing

CB2R receptors have demonstrated beneficial effects in wound healing in several models. We therefore investigated a potential role of CB2R receptors in corneal wound healing. We examined the functional contribution of CB2R receptors to the course of wound closure in an in vivo murine model. We additionally examined corneal expression of CB2R receptors in mouse and the consequences of their activation on cellular signaling, migration and proliferation in cultured bovine corneal epithelial cells (CECs). Using a novel mouse model, we provide evidence that corneal injury increases CB2R receptor expression in cornea. The CB2R agonist JWH133 induces chemorepulsion in cultured bovine CECs but does not alter CEC proliferation. The signaling profile of CB2R activation is activating MAPK and increasing cAMP accumulation, the latter perhaps due to Gs -coupling. Lipidomic analysis in bovine cornea shows a rise in acylethanolamines including the endocannabinoid anandamide 1 hour after injury. In vivo, CB2R deletion and pharmacological block result in a delayed course of wound closure. In summary, we find evidence that CB2R receptor promoter activity is increased by corneal injury and that these receptors are required for the normal course of wound closure, possibly via chemorepulsion.post-print1,81 M

Increased placental expression of cannabinoid receptor 1 in preeclampsia

BackgroundThe endocannabinoid system plays a key role in female reproduction, including implantation, decidualization and placentation. In the present study, we aimed to analyze cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1), CB2 and fatty acid amid hydrolase (FAAH) expressions and localization in normal and preeclamptic placenta, in order to determine whether placental endocannabinoid expression pattern differs between normal pregnancy and preeclampsia.MethodsEighteen preeclamptic patients and 18 normotensive, healthy pregnant women with uncomplicated pregnancies were involved in our case inverted question markcontrol study. We determined CB1, CB2 and FAAH expressions by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry in placental samples collected directly after Cesarean section.ResultsCB1 expression semi-quantified by Western blotting was significantly higher in preeclamptic placenta, and these findings were confirmed by immunohistochemistry. CB1 immunoreactivity was markedly stronger in syncytiotrophoblasts, the mesenchymal core, decidua, villous capillary endothelial and smooth muscle cells, as well as in the amnion in preeclamptic samples compared to normal pregnancies. However, we did not find significant differences between preeclamptic and normal placenta in terms of CB2 and FAAH expressions and immunoreactivity.ConclusionsWe observed markedly higher expression of CB1 protein in preeclamptic placental tissue. Increased CB1 expression might cause abnormal decidualization and impair trophoblast invasion, thus being involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Nevertheless, we did not find significant differences between preeclamptic and normal placental tissue regarding CB2 and FAAH expressions. While the detailed pathogenesis of preeclampsia is still unclear, the endocannabinoid system could play a role in the development of the disease

Into the Streets: Day 2 - Session 4: Together around Australia

University of Technology, Sydney. Friday 24 & Saturday 25 September 2010 A chant of the early gay & lesbian movement – “Out of the Closets & Into the Streets! Out of the Bars & Into the Streets!” provides the theme for a major conference to be held at the University of Technology, Sydney on Friday 24 & Saturday 25 September 2010 on the beginnings of open lesbian and gay activism in Australia. With the public announcement of the founding of Campaign Against Moral Persecution, or CAMP, in September 1970, John Ware and Christabel Poll became the first openly self-identified homosexuals in Australia. The consequences of their action went far beyond that of establishment of one organisation -- it marked the beginning of a gay and lesbian movement in this country. This conference aims to explore the social, political and cultural background that led to the announcement, and its wider repercussions and consequences. While there will be a focus on Sydney, we want this to be a national conference. Experiences around Australia provide an important contrast and illustrate different models of activism. Within a year of the formation of CAMP, an informal network of organisations had grown up around Australia. Other states too mirrored the split in the movement that took place with the formation of the (supposedly) more radical Gay Liberation groups, especially on university campuses, and the beginnings of an autonomous radical lesbian movement around Australia.Society Five and its audience – Graham Willett Early lesbian groups in Melbourne – Jean Taylor Beginnings of CAMP in South Australia – David Hilliard The Brisbane CAMP Club – Carol Low Chair: Diane MinnisSydney’s Pride History Grou

Genetic assessments and parentage analysis of captive Bolson tortoises (Gopherus flavomarginatus) inform their "rewilding" in New Mexico.

The Bolson tortoise (Gopherus flavomarginatus) is the first species of extirpated megafauna to be repatriated into the United States. In September 2006, 30 individuals were translocated from Arizona to New Mexico with the long-term objective of restoring wild populations via captive propagation. We evaluated mtDNA sequences and allelic diversity among 11 microsatellite loci from the captive population and archived samples collected from wild individuals in Durango, Mexico (n = 28). Both populations exhibited very low genetic diversity and the captive population captured roughly 97.5% of the total wild diversity, making it a promising founder population. Genetic screening of other captive animals (n = 26) potentially suitable for reintroduction uncovered multiple hybrid G. flavomarginatus×G. polyphemus, which were ineligible for repatriation; only three of these individuals were verified as purebred G. flavomarginatus. We used these genetic data to inform mate pairing, reduce the potential for inbreeding and to monitor the maintenance of genetic diversity in the captive population. After six years of successful propagation, we analyzed the parentage of 241 hatchlings to assess the maintenance of genetic diversity. Not all adults contributed equally to successive generations. Most yearly cohorts of hatchlings failed to capture the diversity of the parental population. However, overlapping generations of tortoises helped to alleviate genetic loss because the entire six-year cohort of hatchlings contained the allelic diversity of the parental population. Polyandry and sperm storage occurred in the captives and future management strategies must consider such events