In the first phase of the current study, metabolic combinatorial solutions were in ovo administered in broiler eggs on Day 18 of incubation to investigate their effects in broiler chick tissue nutrient profiles until Day 10 of posthatch growout. In the second phase, the effects of in ovo injection of L-carnitine on Day 18 of incubation in broiler eggs were examined. The treatment solutions used in these studies were considered to play significant roles in various biochemical pathways, and were hence tested to determine whether they could potentiate the physiological growth and development of the broiler embryos and posthatch chicks. The in ovo injection of treatment solutions in both trials did not produce any significant increase in performance or slaughter yield in broiler chicks. However, positive trends were determined for rate of hatch and tissue nutrient profiles, which implied that the in ovo administration of nutrient supplements may be supportive of embryonic development and posthatch growout performance.

To test the hypothesis that hypothalamic β-endorphin levels were related to the body weight changes occurring with ovarian steroid treatments, 80 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized and allowed to recover for 7 days. Four treatment groups of 20 each were subjected to daily injections for 14 days with A) oil, B) β-estradiol benzoate (2µg), C) β-estradiol benzoate (2µg) plus progesterone (5mg), or D) progesterone (5mg). Weight gain was significantly (p < 0.01) lower in the estrogen group when compared to the control, estrogen/progesterone, or progesterone groups. The estrogen/progesterone-treated group gained significantly less weight than either the control or progesterone group. A significant (p < 0.05) decrease in food intake was also observed in the estrogen and estrogen/progesterone groups when compared to the control and progesterone groups, but not between each other. The progesterone-treated group was not significantly different from the controls in either weight gain or food intake. Hypothalamic β-endorphin (ng/mg protein) concentrations were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the estrogen- and estrogen/progesterone-treated groups compared to the control and progesterone groups. Again, much like the weight gain, food intake, and hypothalamic β-endorphin (ng/mg protein), the estrogen and estrogen/progesterone groups had significantly (p < 0.05) heavier adrenal weights when compared to the controls and progesterone groups. There was no significant difference in plasma corticosterone levels between any of the groups. In this study, hypothalamic β-endorphin (ng/mg protein) appeared to be effected by ovarian steroid hormone treatment. Whether this is related to the weight gain also observed with the treatments remains to be determined. / Ph. D.

Dissertation (Ph.D.) -- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 2007. / Vita. Bibliography: p. 104-105

Inaug. _ Diss.: Rechtsund staatswissenschaftliche Fakultät: Zürich: 1976. Résumé p. 226-235. _ Bibliogr. p. 236-244.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Iowa, 2006. / Supervisor: James A. Hall. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 103-110).

Stimulant drugs often have a profound calming effect on overactive and inattentive behaviors in children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but only approximately 75 per cent of these children respond favorably to this treatment (Barkley, 1977). Discrimination of "responding" and "non-responding" groups on the basis of demographic, neurophysiological, or behavioral variables would be beneficial both for clinical (elimination of drug trial) and theoretical (description of subtypes) reasons. Previous researchers have identified many promising predictor variables, but relationships between predictor and criterion variables have generally been modest (although statistically significant) in size, and criterion variables have been poorly delineated. In addition, few multivariate investigations have been reported which take into account the relative predictive weight of these variables. The present study evaluated the multivariate relationship between several predictor variables and response to medication in 336 ADHD children, as measured through both rating scales and longer-term outcome measures. Multiple regression analyses revealed that measures of inattention and overactivity were the best predictors of response to a double-blind stimulant medication trial, as determined through parent and teacher rating scales. For cases in which rating scale data were not available, discriminant function analyses for "yes" versus "no" responders were also carried out, indicating results similar to those above. These relationships were highly significant but have limited clinical utility. Demographic variables were generally unsuccessful at prediction of medication response. Additional findings indicated that the results of the clinical trial (as determined by parent and teacher behavioral ratings) were not strongly related to ultimate placement on medication. Further exploration of this issue is called for. / Graduate

In the present study, the influence of various drug pretreatments will be investigated in the rabbit in an attempt to (a) define the pharmacological mechanism of action of pipradrol in its mediation of hyperthermia and (b) observe the effects of these pretreatments on the behavioral effect of pipradrol. Although pipradrol is no longer of clinical utility, it is hoped that the results of this study may provide more information for its use in future studies as a pharmacological tool.

No description available.

The instrumental misuse of prescription stimulants as "study drugs", particularly by college students, is a serious issue that needs to be further investigated. Using data from a sample of 549 University of Central Florida Orlando students, the current study tested the relationship between prescription stimulant misuse and social learning theory, as well as general strain theory. Approximately 17% of participants reported misusing prescription stimulants for academic purposes at least once in the past year. Findings show support for social learning theory; the number of friends who use prescription stimulants and the individual's attitudes about the effectiveness of the drugs are both significant variables. General strain theory was divided into two parts; the first one tests the relationship between strain and negative affect, while the second tests negative affect, strain and prescription stimulant misuse. Overall, general strain theory was not found to explain prescription stimulant misuse. Also, results showed students who binge drink or use other substances are significantly more likely to report prescription stimulant misuse. Potential implications for these findings are discussed, as well as future research directions.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of providing stationary and nonstationary visual stimuli to preterm infants by designing a device that met basic hospital safety requirements and fit within the incubator. A sample of 20 preterm infants were observed. Differences in responses between baseline, stationary, and nonstationary conditions were recorded using state, focal point, time attending, heart and respiratory rates. Each infant was observed on two separate days. Each observation period was divided into three 2-minute segments. On the intervention day, data were collected in a baseline, stimulus, stimulus sequence. On the nonintervention day, only baseline data were collected in the three 2-minute time· segments. Parametric and nonparametric analyses revealed significant differences in state, focal point, and heart rate between observation days. Results of state, focal point, and heart rate indicate a response to the stimulus during the first stimulus exposure period. Significant effects in state, focal point, time, period, and heart rate during the second exposure period indicate an orienting response. It is suggested that after a period of response and reorganization, the infants were able to orient to the device during the second exposure period. These results also suggest that this visual stimulation device may be helpful in long-term visual stimulation studies and interventions. / M.S.