The interaction of dietary antioxidant vitamins and oxidative stress on cough reflex in guinea-pigs after long term oxygen therapy

Inhalation of high concentration of oxygen produces oxidative stress in men and experimental animals. Our previous experiments showed that the cough reflex is suppressed in guinea pigs after exposure to 100% O(2) for 60 hours. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of dietary antioxidant supplementation with vitamins C and E on hyperoxia-induced oxidative stress in airway and lung tissues directed on cough reflex. The experimental group (T-H, n=8) was pretreated with vitamins C (500 mg/kg) and E (300 mg/kg) for 4 weeks and subsequently exposed to 100% O(2) for 60 hours. Hyperoxic group (H, n=8) received saline instead of antioxidants and then inhaled 100% O(2) for 60 hours. Cough was induced by inhalation of citric acid aerosol in gradually increased concentration (0.05-1.6 M) at the end of antioxidant therapy and then at the end of exposure to 100% O(2). Cough was also induced by mechanical stimulation of laryngopharyngeal (LPh) and tracheobronchial (TBr) region in anaesthetized animals just 1 hour after the end of oxygen exposure. Our results showed a tendency to a decrease in citric acid-induced cough in hyperoxic animals and an increase in animals with antioxidant therapy after hyperoxia. Antioxidant therapy significantly unblocked hyperoxia-induced down-regulation of cough (P=0.004). Significant changes also were obtained from mechanically-induced TBr cough [2.5(1-4) vs. 1.0(1-2); P<0.01] between the experimental and hyperoxic (control) animals. In conclusion, our results indicate a protective effect of antioxidant supplementation on oxidant-mediated cough depression.

Testing of cough reflex sensitivity in children suffering from allergic rhinitis and common cold

Cough associated with upper respiratory tract disorders is a common and troublesome problem in children and little is known about the etiology of this type of cough. This study examined the capsaicin cough sensitivity (CS) in children suffering from allergic rhinitis (AR) and upper respiratory tract infection (URI), comparing it with that in healthy children taken as controls (C). CS to capsaicin, spirometry, skin prick tests, and nose-throat examination were performed in 61 children grouped by the diagnosis of AR, URI, and C. The results, in order of C vs. AR vs. URI, expressed as a geometric mean (+/-95% CI) log(10) muM of capsaicin for C2 (the lowest concentration of capsaicin in mumol/l required to induce >or=2 coughs) were: 1.8 (1.6-1.9) vs. 1.0 (0.8-1.2) vs. 0.48 (0.2-0.8), P<0.001 and for C5 (the lowest concentration of capsaicin in mumol/l required to induce >or=5 coughs) 2.9 (2.8-2.9) vs. 2.6 (2.5-2.6) vs. 2.1 (2.0-2.3), P<0.05. We found that CS in children with AR, even when tested out of pollen season, was significantly heightened compared with controls. CS in children with URI was extremely high compared with both C and AR groups. We conclude that pathological processes in the nose of any etiology could cause a sensitization of the cough reflex with decreased cough threshold during asymptomatic period of AR. Cough also is enhanced by acute inflammation in the upper airways in nonatopic children.

The effects of nasal histamine challenge on cough reflex in healthy volunteers

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of nasal histamine on the intensity of cough reflex and the effects of intensified nasal breathing following the nasal histamine challenge on cough sensitivity (CS) in humans. 20 volunteers (mean age 23, nonsmokers, no history of nasal or respiratory system diseases and atopy) were recruited to the study. Baseline CS was determined in all subjects. 2 days later the subjects (n = 20) were challenged with nasal histamine (8 mg/ml, 0.1 ml) and the number of coughs was determined after four consecutive single-breath inhalations of capsaicin C2 concentration during the period of the most intensive nasal symptoms (sneezing, itching of the nose). The same capsaicin C2 challenge was performed after nasal saline challenge two days later. One week later CS was determined after nasal histamine challenge with subsequent 10 min of intensified breathing (5-6 sniff-like aspirations to total lung capacity per minute) through the nose and mouth in randomized order in ten volunteers, and with a two-day interval between the challenges. The same manoeuvres after intranasal saline challenge were performed in volunteers of the control group (n = 10). The number of coughs after nasal histamine was significantly higher than that after intranasal saline challenge (8(6-10) vs 5(3-7); p = 0.038(. CS was not significantly different between the baseline challenge and challenges after nasal histamine followed by the intensified nasal and mouth breathing ((2.21 (1.8-2.62) vs 2.04 (1.57-2.51) vs 2.05 (1.6-2.5) log(10) of capsaicin concentration in mumol.l(-1); p = 0.09).

CONCLUSIONS

During the period of maximum nasal symptoms after nasal histamine challenge the cough response to inhaled capsaicin was enhanced. Capsaicin cough sensitivity measured after a 10-min. intensified nasal breathing after nasal histamine challenge, compared to a previous measurement of CS, remain unchanged.

Serotonin-Containing Cells in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Newborn Foals and Adult Horses

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), a regulatory amine of mucosal enterochromaffin cells plays an important role in the control of gastrointestinal smooth muscle contraction and epithelial secretion. Serotonin has also been associated with gastric ulcers, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. In spite of the high incidence of these gastrointestinal disorders in newborn foals and adult horses, no data are available regarding 5-HT immunoreactive cells (i.c.) in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of foals, and for adult horses, data are incomplete and contradictory. In this study, the distribution and relative frequency of 5-HT i.c. in the GIT of newborn foals and adult horses were determined immunohistochemically. In foals as in adults, a relatively large number of 5-HT i.c. were detected in all portions of the GIT. In foals, a significantly higher amount of cells was found in the pyloric region and margo plicatus of the stomach, as well as in the caecum and colon ascendens compared with adults. Our results provided rationale for further research concerning the role of 5-HT i.c. during the milk diet or in the regulation of gastrointestinal growth/cell proliferation, and in the pathogenesis of gastric ulcers, especially in newborn foals.

Effect of protein deficiency on macroelement and trace element levels of weanling rats' small intestine and liver tissues

Protein energy malnutrition has become a major health issue in developing countries. In the present study, the effect of protein deficiency on the small intestine and liver tissue content of macroelements and trace elements was investigated in weanling rats. Forty-five male weanling Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups. The control group (C) was fed a standard diet containing 25% casein, whereas the two experimental groups E1 and E2 consumed 12% and 3% casein, respectively, over a period of 45 d. The tissue samples were analyzed for zinc, copper, iron, manganese, calcium, and magnesium by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The protein-deficient groups showed increased levels of iron in both tissues and decreased manganese in small intestine tissue from the E1 group. No other differences were found for the other elements. These results suggest that protein deficiency might cause iron accumulation in the liver and intestine and decreases of manganese in the small intestine.

Cough sensitivity in allergic rhinitis

The objective of this study was to evaluate capsaicin cough sensitivity in pollen sensitive patients with allergic rhinitis at the time of grass pollen season and out of it. Cough reflex sensitivity was defined as the lowest capsaicin concentration that evoked 2 or more coughs (C2). Capsaicin aerosol in doubled concentrations (from 0.02 to 200 micromol) was inhaled by a single breath. Two groups of pollen sensitive rhinitis subjects and a group of healthy controls were studied. The C2 for the 23 pollen sensitive patients of the first group, studied out of pollen season (January-February), was 0.22 micromol/l (0.06-0.76) (geometric mean + 95% CI), which was substantially lower than the 4.29 micromol/l (2.54-7.26) in 24 healthy volunteers (P=0.0001). In another group of 15 pollen sensitive patients, C2 was 0.84 micromol/l (0.14-5.20) out of pollen season and 0.11 micromol/l (0.03-0.33) during the pollen season (May-June) (P=0.04). We conclude that pollen-sensitive subjects who suffer of seasonal allergic rhinitis have significantly greater capsaicin cough sensitivity, regardless of them being in or out of pollen season. Subclinical inflammatory changes in the lower airways are probably responsible for this effect.

Induced sputum eosinophils, bronchial reactivity, and cough sensitivity in subjects with allergic rhinitis

Some patients with allergic rhinitis and no clinical evidence of asthma exhibit bronchial hyperresponsiveness. In the present study, induced sputum and acetylcholine and capsaicin challenges were assessed in four groups of adult subjects: allergic rhinitis (AR), allergic rhinitis with lower airway symptoms (ARLA), mild stable asthma (BA), and healthy volunteers (C) to correlate lower airway inflammatory markers with bronchial and cough reactivity. Patients with AR (n = 13) and ARLA (n = 11) did not take any anti-inflammatory drugs. Those with BA (n = 9) used inhaled corticosteroids and C (n = 10) were respiratory symptoms free. The patients underwent capsaicin cough challenge and sputum induction with hypertonic saline during the first visit, and acetylcholine bronchial challenge on a separate day. We found that the percentage of eosinophils in induced sputum was significantly higher in patients with AR, ARLA, and BA than in C 14.5 +/-1.8(SE) vs. 13.5 +/-2.9 vs. 13.9 +/-4.0 vs. 3.6 +/-0.8 %, respectively (P=0.012). In contrast, acetylcholine PD(20) in patients with AR, ARLA, and BA was significantly lower than in C 5.6 +/-0.9 vs. 4.1 +/-0.4 vs. 2.8 +/-0.4 vs. 12.9 +/-2.7 mg, respectively (P=0.0001). Neither the eosinophil percentage nor PD20, nor cough sensitivity appreciably differed across the patients groups. Sputum eosinophils correlated significantly with the acetylcholine PD(20) (r=0.37, P=0.016). We conclude that eosinophilic inflammation of lower airways and increased bronchial reactivity were present in adult patients with allergic rhinitis.

Effects of intranasal histamine on the cough reflex in subjects with allergic rhinitis

In the present study we investigated the effects of nasal histamine on the intensity of coughing and the effects of intensified nasal breathing following nasal histamine on cough sensitivity (CS) in 14 subjects with seasonal allergic rhinitis. The study consisted of two parts performed one week apart. First, baseline CS to capsaicin was determined, followed by intranasal histamine challenge (4 mg/ml, 0.1 ml) and the count of the number of coughs to inhaled capsaicin on the background of most intensive nasal symptoms (sneezing, itching, rhinorrhea, and nasal blockage) evoked by histamine. In the second part, CS was determined after intranasal histamine followed by 10 min of intensified nasal breathing through the nose or mouth in a randomized order at 2-day intervals. The number of coughs induced after intranasal histamine was significantly higher, compared with intranasal saline, [9 (7-12) vs. 4.5 (4-6), P<0.001]. CS also was significantly increased after nasal histamine, but nasal intensified breathing failed to cause any changes in CS. We conclude that stimulation of nasal mucosa with histamine enhanced the cough response in subjects with allergic rhinitis.

Antileukotriene treatment and allergic rhinitis-related cough in guinea pigs

Experimental allergic rhinitis produces enhanced cough response in awake guinea pigs. Leukotriene receptor antagonists, as anti-inflammatory agents, have been effective in treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis to inhibit the early and late allergic response. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of montelukast (Singulair, Merck, USA) on the cough reflex in an experimental model of allergen-induced rhinitis in guinea pigs. Guinea pigs (n=16) were sensitized with intraperitoneal ovalbumin (OVA). The animals were then used to develop a model of allergic rhinitis by repeated intranasal instillation of 0.5% OVA at weekly intervals for 8 weeks. Allergic rhinitis was evaluated from the occurrence of typical clinical symptoms including sneezing, conjunctival and nasal secretion, or nasal acoustic phenomenon. Between the 6(th) and 8(th) nasal challenge (NCh) the animals (n=8) were treated daily for 14 days with oral montelukast (10mg/kg). Cough was induced by citric acid aerosol inhalation in gradually increasing concentration (0.05-1.6 M) and was evaluated before sensitization and then after the 1(st), 6(th), and 8(th) nasal challenge when rhinitis symptoms were most conspicuous. The intensity of cough was significantly increased after the first and repeated nasal OVA challenges, and reduced after the 8(th) NCh that was preceded with montelukast treatment [9(6-14) vs. 16.5(14-22) vs. 25.5(23-42) vs. 8.5(8-13); P=0.0003]. We conclude that antileukotriene therapy suppresses the stimulating effect of experimental allergic rhinitis on the chemically-induced cough in awake guinea pigs.

The effect of chemical stimulation of esophageal mucosa on citric acid induced cough and specific airway resistance in guinea pig

BACKGROUND

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is one of the most common causes of chronic cough. The mechanism of the cough initiation in these patients remains unresolved.

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to investigate the effect of intraesophageal (IE) administration of capsaicin on cough and specific airway resistance (Saw) in guinea pigs.

METHODS

Male TRIK strain guinea pigs were used. In the first experiment 12 controls received IE saline, 9 animals (group 1) received IE capsaicin (400 microM, 0.2 ml) and 12 guinea pigs (group 2) received IE capsaicin (400 microM, 0.2 ml) 24 hours after IE administration of hydrochloric acid (3 M, 0.2 ml). Cough induced by inhalation of citric acid (CA) and Saw was determined after IE administration of saline in controls and capsaicin in groups 1 a 2. In the second experiment, CA induced cough was determined in guinea pigs (n=13) in the beginning of the study (control response), after NaOH (1 M, 0.2 ml) was administered IE. One week later in conditions of corrosive esophagitis CA induced cough was determined after IE administration of capsaicin (cough during esophageal stimulation).

RESULTS

There was no difference in CA induced cough between controls, group 1 and 2 (p=0.98). Saw was hot affected by IE capsaicin stimulation and CA inhalation in group 1 and group 2. There was no difference found between control cough response and those induced after IE capsaicin in animals with corrosive esophagitis (p=0.75).

CONCLUSION

Esophageal stimulation with capsaicin did not trigger and/or modulate CA induced cough and Saw in guinea pigs models. (Fig. 5, Ref. 22.)

Modulation of experimentally-induced cough by stimulation of nasal mucosa in cats and guinea pigs

Stimulation of afferent nerves in upper airways may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic cough in chronic disorders of nose and/or sinuses. We tested the hypothesis that stimulation of the nasal afferent nerves enhances experimentally-induced cough. Intranasal administration of capsaicin (50 microM, 25 microl) did not evoke cough in anaesthetized cats, but enhanced cough induced by mechanical stimulation of the tracheobronchial mucosa (number of coughs, median [IQR]) (6.5 [5.5-8.5] versus 10 [7-14]; P = 0.028, n = 13). In contrast, intranasal histamine (16 mM, 25 microl) had no effect. Intranasal capsaicin (50 microM, 15 microl) did not evoke cough, but enhanced cough evoked by mechanical stimulation of the tracheobronchial mucosa (1 [1-3] versus 3 [2-4]; P = 0.0037, n = 15) in anaesthetized guinea pigs and cough induced by inhalation of citric acid (0.3M, 2 min) in awake guinea pigs (3 [2-5] versus 5 [3-7], P ? 0.0026, n = 23). We conclude that stimulation of nasal afferent nerves with capsaicin enhances experimentally-induced cough. Our results suggest that afferent inputs from the nose interact with the cough reflex pathways in a manner that enhances cough.

Effects of inhaled corticosteroids on cough in awake guinea pigs with experimental allergic rhinitis--the first experience

Allergic rhinitis is a common cause of chronic cough. Topical corticosteroids are regarded as the most effective first-time treatment in allergic rhinitis. In this study we evaluated the cough sensitivity during the early and late allergic responses in guinea pigs with experimental allergic rhinitis. Another aim of the study was to follow up the effect of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate on the cough in guinea pigs with allergic rhinitis. 31 guinea pigs were sensitized with ovalbumin (OA). Animals were intranasally challenged with OA (experiment) or saline (control) in 7-day intervals for 9 weeks. Cough was induced by inhalation of citric acid aerosols in gradually increasing concentrations for 30 s and was evaluated 1 h after the 8(th) nasal challenge (NCH) and 17 h after the 9(th) NCH. Cough was significantly increased only during an early allergic response, 1 h after repeated NCH [18 (14-23) vs. 8 (3-10); P<0.001]. Five experimental animals were inhaling aerosol of beclomethasone dipropionate seven days between the 8(th) and the 9(th) NCH and cough was evaluated 1 h after the 9(th) NCH. Inhaled corticosteroids significantly inhibited the enhanced allergic rhinitis related cough [4 (1-9) vs.19 (9-37) vs. 6 (3-9); P<0.05].

Effects of intranasal capsaicin challenge on cough reflex in healthy human volunteers

Rhinosinusitis is the most common cause of chronic cough. There is clinical experience that cough can be elicited from lower airways including the larynx. However, there is no experimental evidence, that afferent nerve endings localized in the nose or sinuses can directly mediate the cough reflex. Stimulation of nasal afferents affects breathing pattern (apnea) and bronchial smooth muscles (nasobronchial reflex). The question arises of whether stimulation of nasal afferents could also interfere with the cough reflex. Intranasal capsaicin enhances the cough response in cats and guinea pigs. In the present study we address the problem of modulation of the cough response by intranasal capsaicin challenge in humans. Twelve healthy volunteers were recruited for the study. The effect of intranasal capsaicin (25 microl, 750 microM) and the airway cough threshold were determined at the start of the experiment. After that, cough response was provoked by inhalation of a tussigen during stimulation of nasal afferents with capsaicin and in control conditions in a randomized order. The cough response provoked during intranasal capsaicin was significantly enhanced compared with that during control conditions. Thus, the result was similar to that obtained in previous animal studies. The enhancement of the cough response could be explained by a facilitating interaction between the afferent information of nasal origin and the central neuronal network responsible for creation of cough pattern.

The influence of hyperoxia on cough reflex intensity in guinea pigs treated with bleomycin

Inhalation of high concentration of oxygen produces a lung injury in men and experimental animals. In our previous experiment we have found suppression of cough reflex in healthy guinea pigs after an exposure to 100% O2 for 60 hours. This study was designed to find the effect of hyperoxia on cough reflex in guinea pigs with lungs damaged by bleomycin. We used 48 animals (300-400 g) in two separated experiments. 32 of them were intratracheally injected with 1.5 mg bleomycin (Bleocin, Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) for induction of lung damage according to the method described by Parizada et al (20). 16 animals were given saline, only (control). Animals of experimental group were divided into two subgroups according to the lapse of time from bleomycin application. 13 days after bleomycin application animals of the 1st subgroup (16) were exposed to 100% O2 (8) or to room air (8) for 48 h. Similarly, 20 days after bleomycin application guinea pigs of the 2nd subgroup (16) were exposed to 100% O2 (8) or air (8), respectively. Cough was provoked in conscious animals placed in bodyplethysmograph box by inhalation of citric acid aerosol (0.3 mol/L) before, then 13 or 20 days after bleomycin application, and finally at the end of 48-h exposition to 100% O2 (air). The number of coughs was counted from airflow trace recorded by pneumotachograph. Cough was also induced by mechanical stimulation of laryngopharyngeal (LPh) and tracheobronchial (TBr) region in anaesthetized animals (Urethane, 1.1 g/kg, i.p.) just after the end of oxygen exposition and was evaluated from the interpleural pressure record. The results have shown a tendency to inhibition of citric acid cough reflex in animals 13 days treated with bleomycin and exposed to 100% O2, and significant decrease in citric acid induced cough in animals 20 days treated with bleomycin and exposed to 100% O2. Significant changes were present in cough intensity induced by mechanical stimulation of TBr region of the guinea pigs airway treated with bleomycin and exposed to oxygen, too. (Tab. 1, Fig. 3, Ref: 29.)

Cough sensitivity in atopic dermatitis

The aim of study was to investigate the cough sensitivity (C2) to capsaicin (CAPS) in patients with atopic dermatitis without clinical respiratory symptoms. Cough sensitivity (C2) is defined as the lowest CAPS concentration, which evokes two or more coughs. Forty eight dermatological patients (21 M, 27 F; mean age 44 yr) and 24 healthy volunteers (14 M, 10 F; mean age 37 yr) inhaled deep breath (2 l) of CAPS aerosol in doubled concentrations (from 0.02 to 200 micromol/l) (Pari Provokationstest I, PARI WERK; mass median diameter 1.2 microm). Cough sensitivity (C2) expressed as geometric mean (95% CI) of CAPS concentration was 0.13 micromol/l (0.06-0.31) in 26 patients with atopic dermatitis (10 M, 16 F; mean age 41 yr), 5.51 micromol/l (1.33-22.90) in 22 patients with psoriasis (11 M, 11 F; mean age 46 yr) and 4.29 micromol/l (2.54-7.26) in 24 controls. There is significant difference of cough sensitivity (C2) between patients with atopic dermatitis and healthy volunteers (p<0.001) and also between patients with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis (p<0.001). Cough sensitivity (C2) in atopic dermatitis patients without clinical respiratory symptoms is significantly increased. In patients with psoriasis cough sensitivity (C2) is not significantly changed.

Cough sensitivity in localized scleroderma with no clinical symptoms from lower airways

Cough sensitivity is increased in patients with atopic dermatitis, although they have no clinical symptoms from the lower airways. In the present study we examined the cough sensitivity to capsaicin in patients, who had no clinical respiratory symptoms, with sclerodermia localized to the skin. Cough sensitivity was defined as the lowest capsaicin concentration, which evokes 2 or more coughs. Twelve patients and 12 healthy matched volunteers, as a comparison group, inhaled deep breaths (2 L) of a capsaicin aerosol in doubled concentrations (from 0.02 to 200 micromol/L). Cough sensitivity, expressed as a geometric mean (95% CI) of capsaicin concentration, was 0.15 micromol/L (0.04 to 0.56) in the patients with localized sclerodermia and 4.96 micromol/L (2.50 to 9.85) in controls, which made a significant difference towards higher cough sensitivity in sclerodermia, respiratory symptom-free patients. Thus, disease processes localized outside the respiratory tract may have surreptitious pulmonary manifestation that is brought to light by the capsaicin cough test.

Juvenile hormone regulation of longevity in the migratory monarch butterfly

Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) of eastern North America are well known for their long-range migration to overwintering roosts in south-central Mexico. An essential feature of this migration involves the exceptional longevity of the migrant adults; individuals persist from August/September to March while their summer counterparts are likely to live less than two months as adults. Migrant adults persist during a state of reproductive diapause in which both male and female reproductive development is arrested as a consequence of suppressed synthesis of juvenile hormone. Here, we describe survival in monarch butterflies as a function of the migrant syndrome. We show that migrant adults are longer lived than summer adults when each are maintained under standard laboratory conditions, that the longevity of migrant adults is curtailed by treatment with juvenile hormone and that the longevity of summer adults is increased by 100% when juvenile hormone synthesis is prevented by surgical removal of its source, the corpora allatum. Thus, monarch butterfly persistence through a long winter season is ensured in part by reduced ageing that is under endocrine regulation, as well as by the unique environmental properties of their winter roost sites. Phenotypic plasticity for ageing is an integral component of the monarch butterflies' migration-diapause syndrome.

Age-specific mortality and reproduction respond to adult dietary restriction in Drosophila melanogaster

Adult dietary yeast modulates mortality rate and reproduction of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratatis capitata. In the medfly, a sugar-only diet leads to low mortality rates and reduced reproduction; addition of dietary yeast increases both mortality and egg laying. In Drosophila melanogaster low availability of dietary yeast is known to increase life span and reduce the rate of reproduction. Despite these similarities, because of differences in experimental design it remains unclear whether a common physiological mechanism modulates the effect of diet on survival. Here, we investigate how mortality rate and reproduction in D. melanogaster respond to the treatment regime used to study the medfly: no-yeast versus full diet. We find that adult medfly and D. melanogaster have opposite responses to the absence of yeast: D. melanogaster have high mortality when on no-yeast diet; when switched to full diet, D. melanogaster reduce mortality rates to the level presented by females continuously maintained on yeast. This reduction in mortality is accompanied by increased fecundity. These patterns are observed in all tested wildtype stocks, but flies made sterile by mutation in the gene oo18 RNA-binding protein (orb) lack this response. D. melanogaster, unlike medflies, appear to require adult dietary yeast to maintain maximal survival, and the capacity to assimilate yeast for somatic processes is one wildtype function of the gene orb.

A mutant Drosophila insulin receptor homolog that extends life-span and impairs neuroendocrine function

The Drosophila melanogaster gene insulin-like receptor (InR) is homologous to mammalian insulin receptors as well as to Caenorhabditis elegans daf-2, a signal transducer regulating worm dauer formation and adult longevity. We describe a heteroallelic, hypomorphic genotype of mutant InR, which yields dwarf females with up to an 85% extension of adult longevity and dwarf males with reduced late age-specific mortality. Treatment of the long-lived InR dwarfs with a juvenile hormone analog restores life expectancy toward that of wild-type controls. We conclude that juvenile hormone deficiency, which results from InR signal pathway mutation, is sufficient to extend life-span, and that in flies, insulin-like ligands nonautonomously mediate aging through retardation of growth or activation of specific endocrine tissue.

Slow aging during insect reproductive diapause: why butterflies, grasshoppers and flies are like worms

Diapause is a state of arrested development accompanied by physiology for somatic persistence. Diapause is common in many invertebrates and is familiar to biogerontology in the context of Caenorhabditis elegans dauer. Among insects, diapause may occur in embryos, larvae, pupae or adults. At the adult stage, reproductive diapause arrests development of oogenesis, vitellogenesis, accessory gland activity, and mating behavior. Reproductive diapause has been well studied in monarch butterflies, several grasshoppers, and several Diptera, including Drosophila and Phormia. In monarchs and in grasshoppers, reproductive diapause physiology has been experimentally induced by the surgical removal of the corpora allata, the source of adult juvenile hormone; allatectomy in each case was found to double adult longevity. Among Drosophila, the endemic D. triauraria of Japan, and D. littoralis of Finland over-winter as adults in reproductive diapause. How D. melanogaster winter is poorly understood, but reproductive diapause can be cued by cool temperature. In laboratory studies, the mortality rates of post-diapause D. melanogaster are similar to rates of newly enclosed, young flies. This implies that senescence during diapause is slow or negligible. Slow aging during the diapause period may involve elevated somatic stress resistance as well as reallocation of resources to somatic maintenance. Reproductive diapause in Drosophila is proximally controlled by down regulation of juvenile hormone, a phenotype that is also produced by mutants of the insulin-like receptor InR, homologue of C. elegans daf-2. We propose neuroendocrine control of reproductive diapause in D. melanogaster that includes phenotypic plasticity for rates of senescence.

Comparing adolescents' considerations for self-referral and counsellors' perceptions of these considerations: an exploratory study

This study investigated the considerations of adolescents for self-referral to counsellors as reported by 421 senior-high school students and 123 school counsellors. Participants were asked to assess the extent to which different considerations affect adolescent willingness to self-refer to a counsellor. While the most important consideration for both samples was the counsellor's trustworthiness, some differences were found. Counsellors attributed more importance than adolescents to counsellor and adolescent gender and age, to adolescent academic and social status and to the conditions of the presenting problem, whereas the adolescents emphasized counsellor expertness. The results are discussed in terms of the strategies that can be implemented for motivating adolescents to independently approach counsellors with their problems.

Reproductive costs of heat shock protein in transgenic Drosophila melanogaster

Senescence may evolve when genes have antagonistic effects between early reproduction and later age-specific mortality. Although widely consistent with data of quantitative genetics, this model has yet to be validated with the identification of a specific locus presenting such trade-offs. The molecular chaperone hsp70 may be a candidate for such a gene. Heat induced expression of the Hsp70 protein in adults decreases rates of age-specific mortality during normal aging, while maternally experienced heat shock depresses the production of mature progeny. Here we show that maternal heat shock reduces the proportion of egg hatch but not the viability of successfully hatched offspring. To assess whether heat induced maternal expression of hsp70 causes reduced egg hatch, we measured the proportion of eggs that hatch from females engineered to overexpress hsp70 transgenes. We used the same transgenic strains that extend longevity upon hsp70 expression and found that Hsp70 is sufficient to suppress egg hatch. The proportion of egg hatch as a function of hsp70 expression was not reduced in the first eggs laid after maternal heat shock, but appears in later laid eggs, which were at preoogenic and early vitellogenic stages during the maternal expression of hsp70. The contervailing effects of hsp70 upon fecundity and subsequent age-specific mortality exemplify antagonistic pleiotropy, and this trade-off could contribute to the evolution of Drosophila senescence.

Parental expectations of their adolescents' teachers

In spite of increasing parental participation in their children's education, and the growing research interest in this trend, the study of one of the central components of parental involvement, namely, parental expectations of teachers, has been scarce. The present research focuses on this important, albeit neglected, topic. We examined the effects of the sex of the parent and the sex and grade level of the specific child on parental expectations of teachers. Seven hundred and sixty-five Israeli parents of students attending 31 educational institutions participated in the study. They completed the Expectations of Teachers questionnaire, consisting of 12 items describing behavioural characteristics of teachers subsumed under three broad categories: Help and Assistance, Teaching Competence, and Fairness. Greater expectations for Help and Assistance were reported by the parents, followed by Teaching Competence and Fairness on the part of the teacher. Mothers hold higher Fairness and Help and Assistance expectations as compared with fathers. Help and competence expectations were higher for parents of female students as compared with parents of boys. Conclusions from our study call for increasing efforts geared toward the building of a sustainable and beneficial partnership between teachers and parents for the best interest of the students and for the further elucidation of teachers' expectations of parents.

Women's perceptions of caesarean section: reflections from a Turkish teaching hospital

Caesarean section as a contentious topic has attracted attention world-wide and different dimensions of the issue has been investigated. The primary reason behind these initiatives have been the upsurge of caesarean sections both in the developed and developing world and the realisation that the operation may not always contribute positively to the mother's and baby's health. By contrast, several studies have demonstrated both the short and long term negative effects. Research has also revealed that factors other than medical necessity play an important role in the decision to perform a caesarean section. Turkey, although reliable data does not exist, can be classified among the countries experiencing the caesarean epidemic, at least among highly educated and wealthy mothers. This research, exploring the perceptions of mothers in a teaching hospital with a high caesarean rate, is a rare example of its kind in Turkey. The main finding is the dissatisfaction of the mothers undergoing caesareans during their stay in the hospital.