Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:22:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 6524.pdf: 836310 bytes, checksum: 7abc8c7790ee59b230df28eb660ac2b7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-12-17 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an endotoxin derived from gram-negative bacteria wall, triggers a conjunct of systemic and behavioral responses grouped under the name of sickness behavior. Several works show the inhibition of ingestive behavior in animals with activated immune system by systemic LPS. The aim of this work was demonstrate that LPS inhibit sodium appetite in lower doses than those that cause lethal effects and that LPS inhibitory action on sodium appetite involves α2 adrenergic mechanisms. Were produced three works where we show the LPS effects on sodium appetite, on arterial pressure and in different kinds of thirst. In the first work, we showed that LPS inhibited sodium appetite and only higher doses produced thirst inhibition, besides reduced urinary volume and natriuresis, without alterations on cardiovascular parameters in FURO/CAP-treated rats. LPS abolished intracellular thirst e reduced urinary volume and natriuresis in 2M NaCl gavage-treated animals. LPS also reduced thirst in FURO-treated animals. These results suggest that LPS has a preferential effect on sodium appetite and on thirst intracellular thirst. In the second work we showed that LPS reduce sodium appetite and that this inhibition is abolished by previous treatment with yohimbine ip, an α2 adrenoceptor antagonist in sodium depleted rats. Yohimbine when combined with LPS produced hypotension in sodium depleted rats. LPS reduced gastric empty in sodium depleted rats and this effect wasn‟t abolished by previous treatment with yohimbine. The systemic effects do not explain the inhibition on sodium appetite and we can suggest that LPS exert an inhibitory effect on sodium appetite probably mediated by central α2 adrenoceptors. In the third work we confirmed that LPS inhibit sodium appetite and that central α2 adrenergic ways mediated this response because RX-821002, an α2 adrenoceptor antagonist injected icv, abolished sodium appetite inhibition induced by systemic LPS in sodium depleted rats without produced alterations in cardiovascular parameters. All results exposed with these three works suggest that LPS inhibit sodium appetite and this inhibition is mediated by central α2 adrenoceptors. / Lipopolissacarídeo (LPS), uma endotoxina derivada da parede da bactéria gram-negativa, desencadeia um conjunto de respostas sistêmicas e comportamentais, que se agrupam sob a denominação de comportamento de doença (sickness behavior). Grande número de trabalhos mostra a inibição de comportamento ingestivo no animal que tem ativação do sistema imune induzido por injeção sistêmica de LPS. O objetivo deste trabalho foi demonstrar que o LPS inibe o apetite ao sódio em doses menores daquelas que causam os efeitos letais desta endotoxina e que a ação inibitória do LPS sobre o apetite ao sódio envolve mecanismos adrenérgicos α2. Foram produzidos três trabalhos onde mostramos os efeitos do LPS no apetite ao sódio, na pressão arterial e em diferentes tipos de sede. No primeiro trabalho mostramos que LPS inibiu o apetite ao sódio e apenas as doses mais altas produziram inibição na sede, além de reduzir volume urinário e natriurese, sem alterar os parâmetros cardiovasculares em ratos tratados com o protocolo FURO/CAP. LPS aboliu sede intracelular e reduziu volume urinário e natriurese em ratos que receberam gavagem de NaCl 2M. A sede também foi reduzida pelo tratamento com LPS em ratos tratados com FURO apenas. Esses resultados sugerem que o LPS tem efeito preferencial sobre o apetite ao sódio e sobre a sede intracelular. No segundo trabalho mostramos que LPS reduz o apetite ao sódio e que essa inibição é abolida se há tratamento prévio com ioimbina ip, um antagonista de receptores adrenérgicos α2 em ratos depletados de sódio. Esse mesmo antagonista quando associado com LPS produz hipotensão em ratos depletados de sódio. LPS diminuiu a taxa de esvaziamento gástrico em animais depletados de sódio e esse efeito não foi abolido pelo prévio tratamento com ioimbina. Devido ao fato desses efeitos sistêmicos do LPS não explicarem a inibição no apetite ao sódio podemos sugerir que o LPS exerce um efeito inibitório no apetite ao sódio provavelmente mediado por receptores adrenérgicos α2 centrais. No terceiro trabalho confirmamos que o LPS inibe o apetite ao sódio e que vias centrais noradrenérgicas α2 centrais medeiam essa inibição pois o RX-821002, um antagonista de receptores adrenérgicos α2, injetado icv, também aboliu a inibição no apetite ao sódio induzida pelo LPS sistêmico em ratos depletados de sódio sem produzir alterações nos parâmetros cardiovasculares. Esse conjunto de resultados expostos por meio destes três trabalhos sugere que o LPS inibe o apetite ao sódio e essa inibição é mediada por receptores adrenérgicos α2 de origem central.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:22:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 5255.pdf: 814726 bytes, checksum: 0e3f245d1d018cf30cdf30bf84e42fed (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-05-13 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / The reactive oxygen species (ROS), produced endogenously in central areas may act by modulating autonomic and behavioral responses. Recent studies have shown that a reactive oxygen species, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), injected into the lateral ventricle (LV) reduces pressor response induced by central injection of angiotensin II. In the present study we investigated the effects of H2O2 on the dipsogeni and pressor responses and on the changes in renal excretion induced by the increases in plasma osmolality by intragastric administration (ig) of 2 M NaCl (2 ml). Holtzman rats (280 - 320 g) with stainless steel cannula implanted in the LV were used. H2O2 or PBS injections were made in the LV. Injections of H2O2 (2.5 or 5 &#956;mol/1 &#956;l) in the LV reduced water intake induced by ig 2 M NaCl (3.1 ± 0.7 and 3.5 ± 1.1 ml, vs. PBS: 8.6 ± 1.0 and 7.6 ± 0.5 ml/2h, P <0.05, respectively) and natriuresis (609.2 ± 82.9 and 1290.7 ± 80.5, vs. PBS: 876.4 ± 129.5 and 1443.6 ± 67.5 &#956;Eq/2 h, p < 0.05, respectively). However, diuresis and pressor response after ig 2 M NaCl were not altered by the pre-treatment with H2O2. The present data suggest a inhibitory role of central H2O2 in water intake and natriuresis without changing the pressor response induced by plasma hyperosmolarity. / As espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs), produzidas endogenamente podem atuar em áreas centrais modulando respostas autonômicas e comportamentais. Estudos recentes demonstraram que uma espécie reativa de oxigênio, o peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2), injetado no ventrículo lateral (VL) reduz resposta pressora induzida pela injeção central de angiotensina II. No presente estudo investigamos os efeitos do H2O2 sobre a resposta dipsogênica, pressora e sobre as alterações na excreção renal induzidas por aumento da osmolaridade plasmática pela administração intragástrica (ig) de NaCl 2 M (2 ml) . Ratos Holtzman (280 320 g) com cânulas de aço inoxidável implantadas no VL foram utilizados. Injeções de H2O2 ou PBS foram realizadas no VL. As injeções de H2O2 (2,5 ou 5 &#956;mol/1 &#956;l) no VL reduziu a ingestão de água induzida por NaCl 2 M ig (3,1 ± 0,7 e 3,5 ± 1,1 ml, vs. PBS: 8,6 ± 1,0 e 7,6 ± 0,5 ml/2 h, p < 0,05, respectivamente) e a natriurese (609,2 ± 82,9 e 1290,7 ± 80,5, vs. PBS: 876,4 ± 129,5 e 1443,6 ± 67,5 &#956;Eq/2 h, p < 0,05, respectivamente). Por outro lado a diurese e a resposta pressora após gavagem de NaCl 2 M não foram alteradas pelo tratamento prévio com H2O2. Nossos dados sugerem um papel inibitório para o H2O2 agindo centralmente na ingestão de água e na natriurese, sem alterar a resposta pressora induzida por hiperosmolaridade plasmática.

Sodium and water intake are important regulatory components of the hidromineral balance. In this context, human body regulates hidromineral imbalance through the neuro-immune-endocrine and behavioral response. Gonadal hormones are important players for the modulation of ingestive behaviors. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of male and female gonadal hormones in cerebral ECA2/ANG-(1-7)/Mas axis over the control of water sodium intake in rats. In this experiment, ovariectomized female rats were treated with estradiol benzoate (20μg/animal/day, sc; OVXE) or vehicle (sunflower oil; OVXV). Male rats underwent bilateral orchiectomy (ORQX) or sham surgery (SHAM). Guide cannulae were implanted into the right lateral ventricle for intracerebroventricular administration (icv) of drugs. We used angiotensin-converting enzyme type 2 (ACE2) activator, DIZE (diminazene of aceturate, 40 nmol / 2μl , icv ) or the antagonist of Ang-(1-7) Mas recetor, D-Ala7-ANG-(1-7) (A779, 10 nmol / 2μl, icv). The vehicle for both drugs was artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCFS) administered in the same volume. For induction of thirst and sodium appetite, animals were subjected to hydrossaline depletion by administration of furosemide (20 mg / kg, sc) and access to distilled water and low sodium diet (corn ) for 24 hours. After microinjection of drugs, water and 0.3 M NaCl were reoffered and the ingested volume were recorded at the following 15, 30 , 60, 90 , 120, 180, 240 min and 24 h. Two-way analysis of variance was performed, followed by Bonferroni posthoc test when appropriate. The level of significance was p < 0.05. In females treated with vehicle or DIZE, sodium and water intake, as well as sodium preference index (SPI) did not differ between groups. However, OVXV ingested less water than OVXE when both were treated with A779 (p < 0.05). Twenty-four hours after reintroduction of fluids intake sodium ingestions was higher in OVXV than in OVXE when both received A779 (p<0.05). Similarly, OVXV rats showed greater preference for sodium when compared to OVXE, if both received icv injection of A779. Males ORQX microinjected with aCFS ingested more water than SHAM+aCSF. However, at 30 min, SHAM+DIZE male rats presented higher water intake when compared to their respective control. Up to 15 min after reintroduction of fluids, ORQX rats ingested less sodium than SHAM rats, regardless DIZE administration (p < 0.05). Water intake as well as SPI did not differ between groups in males undergoing A779 administrarion. However sodium intake was lower in ORQX+A779 than in ORQX+aCFS (p < 0.05) at 30, 60 , 90, 120 , 180 and 240 min after fluid presentation. Thus, we conclude that estrogen seems to exert inhibitory influences on sodium intake independent ECA2/ANG (1-7)/Mas activity. On the other hand, the male gonadal hormones act by raising intake for the regulation of salt intake shaft in the proposed protocol. / Os comportamentos de ingestão de sódio e água constituem importantes componentes regulatórios do equilíbrio hidroeletrolítico. Neste contexto, o organismo humano regula seu déficit hidromineral através de uma resposta neuroimunoendócrina e comportamental comandada majoritariamente pelo sistema nervoso central (SNC). Reconhecidamente, os hormônios gonadais representam importantes fatores moduladores dos comportamentos ingestivos. O presente estudo objetivou estudar a influência dos hormônios gonadais masculinos e femininos no eixo ECA2/ANG(1-7)/Mas sobre o controle da ingestão de água e NaCl 0,3 M em ratos e ratas. Neste experimento, fêmeas ovariectomizadas foram tratadas com benzoato de estradiol (20μg/animal/dia, s.c.; OVXE), ou com veículo (óleo de girassol; OVXV). Machos foram submetidos à orquiectomia bilateral (ORQX) ou cirurgia fictícia (SHAM). Por meio de cirurgia estereotáxica, cânulas-guia foram implantadas no ventrículo lateral direito para administração intracerebroventricular (icv) das drogas utilizadas. Foram utilizados o ativador da enzima conversora de angiotensina tipo 2 (ECA2), DIZE (Aceturato de Diminazeno, 40 nmol / 2 μL, i.c.v.) ou o antagonista do receptor Mas de ANG (1-7), o D-Ala7-ANG(1-7) (A779, 10 nmol / 2 μL, i.c.v.). O veículo para ambas as drogas foi líquido cerebro-espinhal artificial (LCEa), administrado nos animais controle em igual volume. Para indução da sede e apetite por sódio, os animais foram submetidos a depleção hidrossalina por administração de um diurético de alça (furosemida, 20 mg / kg, s.c.) e acesso à água destilada e dieta pobre em sódio (fubá de milho) por 24 horas. Após a microinjeção das drogas, água e de NaCl 0,3 M foram reapresentados e registrados os volumes ingeridos nos tempos 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240 min e 24 h. Foram realizadas análises de variância de duas vias seguidas do pós-teste de Bonferroni, quando necessário. O nível de significância foi de p < 0,05. Os dados demonstraram que, em fêmeas tratadas com DIZE ou veículo, a ingestão de água, NaCl 0,3 M e o índice de preferência ao sódio (IPS) não diferiram entre os grupos. Porém, fêmeas OVXV ingeriram menos água quando comparadas às femeas OVXE, quando ambas foram tratadas com A779 (p < 0,05). Vinte e quatro horas após a reapresentação de fluidos, a ingestão de NaCl 0,3 M foi maior em ratas OVXV que nas OVXE, quando ambas receberam A779 (p < 0,05). No mesmo sentido, ratas OVXV apresentaram maior preferência por sódio que as OVXE, ambas tratadas com A779. Machos ORQX microinjetados com LCEa ingeriram mais água quando comparados aos animais do grupo SHAM+LCEa. Todavia, aos 30 min, os machos SHAM+DIZE apresentaram maior ingestão de água quando comparado ao seu respectivo controle. Até 15 min após a reapresentação de fluidos, a ingestão de NaCl 0,3 M em ratos ORQX foi menor em comparação aos ratos SHAM independente do tratamento com DIZE (p<0,05), o IPS não diferiu entre os grupos. Os dados referentes a ingestão de água e ao IPS em machos submetidos ao tratamento icv com A779, revelam não haver diferença entre os grupos estudados, porém para ingestão de NaCl 0,3 M, os ratos ORQX+A779 demonstraram menor ingestão quando comparados aos animais ORQX+LCEa (p<0,05) nos tempos 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 e 240 min. Assim, podemos concluir que o estrógeno parece exercer influencia inibitória na ingestão de sódio independente da atividade do eixo ECA2/ANG(1-7)/Mas. Por outro lado, os hormônios gonadais masculinos atuam elevando a ingestão hidrossalina para a regulação do eixo no protocolo proposto.

No description available.

I first became enamoured with vampire Gothic after reading Bram Stoker's Dracula in high school, but gradually became dissatisfied with the Australian adaptations of the sub-genre. In looking for examples of Australian vampire Gothic, a survey of more than 50 short stories, 23 novels and five movies made by Australians reveals fewer than half were set in an identifiably Australian setting. Even fewer make use of three key, landscape-related tropes of vampire Gothic - darkness, earth and ruins. Why are so few Australian vampire stories set in Australia? In what ways can the metaphorical elements of vampire Gothic be applied to the Sunburnt Country? This paper seeks to answer these questions by examining examples of Australian vampire narratives, including film. Particular attention is given to Mudrooroo's Master of the Ghost Dreaming series which, more than any other Australian novel, succeeds in manipulating and subverting the tropes of vampire Gothic. The process of adaptation of vampire Gothic to the Australian environment, both natural and man-made, is also a core concern of my own novel, Vampires' Bane, which uses earth, darkness and a modern permutation of ruins to explore its metaphorical intentions. Through examining previous works and through my own creative process, Vampires' Bane, I argue that Australia's growing urbanisation can be juxtaposed against the vampire-hostile natural environment to enhance the tropes of vampire Gothic, and make Australia a suitable home for narratives that explore the ongoing evolution of Count Dracula and his many-faceted descendants.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:22:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 6708.pdf: 2113975 bytes, checksum: 30511a391fdfda439671c285b41c07c1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-27 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) and the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN) are important areas for the control of sodium appetite. The functional integrity of the CeA is critical to sodium and water intake when LPBN the inhibitory mechanisms are deactivated. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate the role of different neurotransmitters of the CeA in the control of sodium and water intake induced by a) sodium depletion and b) after blockade of LPBN inhibitory mechanisms. Male Holtzman rats with stainless steel guide cannula implanted bilaterally only in CeA or both into the CeA and LPBN were used. Sodium (0.3 M NaCl) intake was evaluated in satiated, hyperosmotic and sodium-depleted rats. In sodium-depleted animals, bilateral administration of &#945;2- adrenergic/imidazoline receptor agonist moxonidine (10 nmol) into CeA reduced 0.3 M NaCl and water intake. Moreover, bilateral injections of muscimol (0.25 nmol) into CeA reduced sodium intake without change water intake. Oxytocin receptors activation or its blockade in the CeA, blockade of muscarinic cholinergic receptor or activation of 5HT2A/2C serotonergic receptor into the CeA did not change 0.3 M NaCl or water intake in sodium-depleted animals. Bilateral injections of opioid receptor antagonist naloxone (40 &#956;g) into the CeA did not significantly change 0.3 M NaCl and water intake in sodium-depleted animals. However, sodium and water intake induced by bilateral injections of muscimol (0.5 nmol) into the LPBN in satiated animals were completely abolished after bilateral injections of naloxone (40 &#956;g) into CeA. Furthermore, paradoxical sodium intake observed in rats that received oral gavage with 2 M NaCl (2 ml/rat) combined with bilateral injections of moxonidine (0.5 nmol) in LPBN was also blocked by bilateral naloxone (40 &#956;g) into the CeA. 0.3 M NaCl and water intake induced by bilateral muscimol injections (0.5 nmol) into LPBN in satiated animals were abolished by blocking AT1 angiotensin receptors (losartan - 20 &#956;g) in CeA. In sodium-depleted animals, bilateral injections of losartan (20 &#956;g) into the CeA significantly reduced water intake but did not affect sodium intake. Bilateral injections of the aldosterone antagonist RU 28318 (50 ng) did not change sodium and water intake induced by sodium depletion. Present results suggest that ocitocinergic, cholinergic muscarinic, 5-HT2A/2C serotonergic receptors and aldosterone receptors of the CeA do not participate in the control of 0.3 M NaCl intake induced by sodium depletion. Moreover, present results suggest that GABAergic and &#945;2-adrenergic receptors of the CeA have an inhibitory role for sodium appetite in this situation. Although opioids and angiotensinergic mechanisms of the CeA apparently do not contribute to sodium depletion-induced sodium intake, opioidergic and angiotensinergic mechanisms in CeA are essential for sodium intake when the LPBN inhibitory mechanisms are blockade by LPBN muscimol injection. In addition, opioidergic mechanisms in CeA are also essential for the paradoxical sodium intake by hyperosmotic animals when the inhibitory mechanisms are attenuated by LPBN moxonidine. Therefore, the activation of opioidergic and angiotensinergic receptors of the CeA is required for sodium intake observed after removal or attenuation of LPBN inhibitory mechanisms. / O núcleo central da amígdala (CeA) e o núcleo parabraquial lateral (NPBL) são regiões importantíssimas para o controle da ingestão sódio e água. A integridade funcional do CeA é fundamental para a ingestão de sódio e água quando ocorre redução da atividade dos mecanismos inibitórios do NPBL. Portanto, os objetivos do presente estudo foram investigar a participação de alguns neurotransmissores no CeA no controle da ingestão de sódio e água induzida a) por desidratação extracelular e b) após o bloqueio dos mecanismos inibitórios do NPBL. Para tanto foram utilizados ratos Holtzman com cânulas guia de aço inoxidável implantadas bilateralmente apenas no CeA ou bilateralmente no CeA e no NPBL. A ingestão de NaCl 1,8% foi avaliada em animais saciados, hiperosmóticos ou com depleção de sódio. Em animais depletados de sódio, a administração bilateral do agonista de receptores adrenérgicos &#945;2/imidazólicos moxonidina (10 nmol), assim como a de muscimol (0,25 nmol) no CeA reduziram a ingestão de NaCl 1,8%. A ativação ou bloqueio dos receptores de ocitocina, o bloqueio de receptores muscarínicos, ativação de receptores serotenérgicos 5-HT2A/2C, ou ainda o bloqueio de receptores de aldosterona no CeA não modificaram a ingestão de sódio e água. Contudo, injeções bilaterais de losartan (20 &#956;g) no CeA reduziram a ingestão de água, mas não modificaram a ingestão de sódio em animais depletados. Já a ingestão de sódio e água induzidas por muscimol (0,5 nmol) no NPBL em animais saciados foram abolidas após bloqueio de receptores AT1 de angiotensina com administração de losartan no CeA. Administração bilateral de naloxona (40 &#956;g) no CeA não modificou a ingestão de NaCl 1,8% e de água em animais desidratados. No entanto, a ingestão de sódio e água induzidas por injeções bilaterais de muscimol (0,5 nmol) no NPBL em animais saciados foram completamente bloqueadas após injeções bilaterais de naloxona no CeA. Além disso, a ingestão paradoxal de NaCl 0,3 M observada em ratos hiperosmóticos após o tratamento bilateral de moxonidina no NPBL também foi bloqueada pelas injeções de naloxona no CeA. Os presentes resultados sugerem que receptores ocitocinérgicos, colinérgicos muscarínicos, serotoninérgicos 5-HT2 e receptores de aldosterona no CeA não participam do controle da ingestão de NaCl 1,8% induzida por depleção de sódio. Por outro lado, os presentes resultados sugerem que receptores GABAérgicos e receptores adrenérgicos &#945;2 no CeA apresentam um papel inibitório para o apetite ao sódio nessa situação. Embora os mecanismos opióides e angiotensinérgicos no CeA aparentemente não contribuam para a ingestão de sódio induzida pela depleção de sódio, os mecanismos opióides e angiotensinérgicos no CeA são essenciais para a ingestão de sódio observada quando os mecanismos inibitórios do NPBL são desativados pela ação do muscimol nessa área. Além disso, os mecanismos opióides no CeA também são essenciais para a ingestão paradoxal de sódio em animais hiperosmóticos quando os mecanismos inibitórios são atenuados pela ação da moxonidina no NPBL. Portanto, a ativação de receptores opióides e de receptores angiotensinérgicos no CeA é necessária para a ingestão de sódio observada após a remoção ou atenuação dos mecanismos inibitórios NPBL.

L’homéostasie buccale conditionne fortement les perceptions gustatives ; elle repose sur un épithélium buccal sain et le bon fonctionnement des glandes salivaires, qui sont finement régulés par hormones sexuelles. Le but de cette thèse était de savoir si une exposition orale en bisphénol A, un migrant d’emballage alimentaire et de composites dentaires, et une alimentation riche en phyto-œstrogènes (soja) pouvaient modifier l’homéostasie buccale. Deux expérimentations ont été conduites : une étude dose-effet du BPA (5µg à 12,5 mg/kj/j) chez le rat adulte, et une étude d’interaction d’un régime riche en soja sur les effets du BPA. Sur la base de tests gustatifs et d’une approche histologique et moléculaire (qPCR-TR), la première étude identifie pour la première fois une action du BPA sur la sècheresse buccale. Nous avons constaté que le BPA était responsable d’une moindre consommation d’eau (p<0.01), d’une préférence augmenté au sel (p<0.05) et diminué au sucre (p<0.05), et d’une altération des sécrétions salivaires. Une réversibilité partielle des effets à l’arrêt du traitement. A contrario un régime riche en phyto-œstrogène augmente la prise d’eau (p<10-6) et diminue la préférence au sel (p<0.05) par rapport à un régime semi-synthétique, et peut s’opposer aux effets du BPA. Ces études montrent que BPA et phyto-œstrogènes exercent des effets œstrogéniques agonistes ou antagonistes en fonction de la cible biologique considérée, et qu’un régime à base de soja peut gommer la plupart des effets observés / Oral homeostasis strongly influences taste perceptions. It depends on a healthy oral epithelium and salivary gland secretions, which are both regulated by sex hormones. The aim of this thesis was to identify the effect of an oral exposure to Bisphenol A, a food packaging and dental sealer component, and of a soy-diet containing phytoestrogens on oral homeostasisTwo experiments were conducted in adult rats: a dose-response study of BPA (5μg 12.5 mg / kj / day), and a study about the impact of a soy-diet on the BPA disrupting effects. By using gustation choice tests, and histological and qPCR-TR molecular approach, we identify for the first time an action of BPA on dry mouth. We found that BPA reduced water consumption (p <0.01), increased salt intake (p <0.05) and decreased sugar intake (p <0.05), and also modulated salivary secretions. These effects were partially reversed by stopping oral exposure. In contrast, the soy-diet increased water intake (p <10-6) and decreased in salt preference (p <0.05) by comparing to the semi-synthetic diet did, and may correct the effects of BPA.These studies show that BPA and phytoestrogens exert agonist or antagonist estrogenic effects depending on the biological target, and that a soy-based diet can erase most of the observed BPA effects

No description available.

This study addresses the concept of fair governance based on an empirical study with marginalized groups, primarily Muslims, and their interaction with government agencies as its salient locus of investigation. Employing the research method of in-depth interviewing, I present a qualitative analysis of 35 semi-structured interviews with Muslims and government administrators. The methodological framework based on which these interviews are interpreted is rooted in the tradition of social constructivism as manifested in the grounded theory perspective of Charmaz. My examination of the hitherto unspoken political visions of the study participants and their shared perspectives offers pragmatic solutions to create greater equity and fairer inclusion of the marginalized in civic and political dialogues and in the administrative practice of government. Remarkably, the cultural changes towards justice and inclusion in the Government of British Columbia manifest that fair government is committed to creating a fundamental transformation in favour of marginalized groups. I find the most promising approach for such transformation occurs where bottom up and dynamic approaches of civil society are aligned with top down approaches of government to justice. The findings suggest that fair governance enhances its functionality and capacity through reflecting universal universalism in its policies and practices, heartening public spirituality and moving towards a more humane modernity rather than the extant western model of modernity. Thus, fair governance calls for diversity in expression of religious identity and challenges the mistaken images of Muslim women. Subsequently, fair government welcomes female religious actors, who act upon religious values, to its administration and respects their choice of clothing encompassing the scarf. Fair government, at all levels, ameliorates the ethical standards of its employees and employs authentic leaders, who act in a virtuous manner, care about employees’ deeply held values, and implement direct communication with staff. Such government supports legislative and constitutional reforms to consider a different outlook of the marginalized on political and social concerns, respects religious practices, honours Muslims’ identity and interpretation of life, and supports individuals who aim to improve humanity in Canada and its occupational settings. Rethinking Islamophobia in the context of the distinct need of government administrators for the institutional education about Islam, as a key finding of the study, depicts the emergence of “Islamoexploria”, as a new expression, which I coin. In my study, there is ample evidence to suggest that a sample of government administrators in British Columbia is in the age of post Islamophobia since they, as pioneers, have passed the stage of Islamophobia and entered a new era of “Islamoexploria”. Thus, they have produced the profound socio-cultural changes towards understanding Islam by shifting from fear of, ostensibly, the unknown to knowledge about the unknown and to approaches that are more sympathetic to Muslims. This finding suggests that fair government facilitates the journey from western Islamophobia, a demonstration of old racism, to “Islamoexploria”, a contemporary thirst for knowledge about Islam. Concurrently, Muslims remain responsible to contribute to fairness at large by role modeling their religious values, which greatly promote justice, compassionate attitudes, and humanitarian actions. / Graduate / 2022-12-07