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Sarker J, Carkovic E, Ptaszek K, Lee TA. Antiviral influenza treatments and hemorrhage-related adverse events in the United States Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database. Pharmacotherapy 2024. [PMID: 38656741 DOI: 10.1002/phar.2920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE To determine whether there is a signal for gastrointestinal (GI) or intracranial (IC) hemorrhage associated with the use of antiviral medications for influenza in the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database. DESIGN Disproportionality analysis. DATA SOURCE The FAERS database was searched using OpenVigil 2.1 to identify GI and IC hemorrhage events reported between 2004 and 2022. MEASUREMENTS Antiviral medications for influenza included the following: oseltamivir, zanamivir, peramivir, and baloxavir marboxil. Hemorrhage events were identified using Standardized Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) Queries for GI and IC hemorrhages. Reporting odds ratios (RORs) were calculated to compare the occurrence of GI and IC hemorrhage events between antiviral drugs for influenza and (i) all other medications and (ii) antibiotics. RORs were also calculated for each of the individual antiviral medications. MAIN RESULTS A total of 245 cases of GI hemorrhage and 23 cases of IC hemorrhage were identified in association with four antivirals. In comparison with all other drugs, the RORs of GI hemorrhage for oseltamivir, zanamivir, peramivir, baloxavir, and all antivirals combined were 1.17, 0.62, 4.44, 2.53, and 1.22, respectively, indicating potential variations in GI hemorrhage risk among the antivirals. In contrast, in comparison with all other drugs, the RORs of IC hemorrhage for oseltamivir (0.44), zanamivir (0.16), baloxavir (0.44), and all antivirals combined (0.41) were less than 1.0 which is consistent with no elevated risk of IC hemorrhage. CONCLUSION In this study, some signals for GI hemorrhage were observed, particularly for peramivir and baloxavir marboxil. Further investigation is warranted to better understand and evaluate the potential risks of GI hemorrhage associated with antiviral treatments for influenza.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyotirmoy Sarker
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Emir Carkovic
- College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Karolina Ptaszek
- College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Todd A Lee
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Gaber CE, Sarker J, Abdelaziz AI, Okpara E, Lee TA, Klempner SJ, Nipp RD. Pathologic complete response in patients with esophageal cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiation: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e7076. [PMID: 38457244 PMCID: PMC10923050 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.7076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neoadjuvant chemoradiation and chemotherapy are recommended for the treatment of nonmetastatic esophageal cancer. The benefit of neoadjuvant treatment is mostly limited to patients who exhibit pathologic complete response (pCR). Existing estimates of pCR rates among patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy have not been synthesized and lack precision. METHODS We conducted an independently funded systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO CRD42023397402) of pCR rates among patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemo(radiation). Studies were identified from Medline, EMBASE, and CENTRAL database searches. Eligible studies included trials published from 1992 to 2022 that focused on nonmetastatic esophageal cancer, including the gastroesophageal junction. Histology-specific pooled pCR prevalence was determined using the Freeman-Tukey transformation and a random effects model. RESULTS After eligibility assessment, 84 studies with 6451 patients were included. The pooled prevalence of pCR after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in squamous cell carcinomas was 9% (95% CI: 6%-14%), ranging from 0% to 32%. The pooled prevalence of pCR after neoadjuvant chemoradiation in squamous cell carcinomas was 32% (95% CI: 26%-39%), ranging from 8% to 66%. For adenocarcinoma, the pooled prevalence of pCR was 6% (95% CI: 1%-12%) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and 22% (18%-26%) after neoadjuvant chemoradiation. CONCLUSIONS Under one-third of patients with esophageal cancer who receive neoadjuvant chemo(radiation) experience pCR. Patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinomas had higher rates of pCR than those with adenocarcinomas. As pCR represents an increasingly utilized endpoint in neoadjuvant trials, these estimates of pooled pCR rates may serve as an important benchmark for future trial design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles E. Gaber
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of PharmacyUniversity of Illinois ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Center for Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomic Research, College of PharmacyUniversity of Illinois ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Jyotirmoy Sarker
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of PharmacyUniversity of Illinois ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Abdullah I. Abdelaziz
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of PharmacyUniversity of Illinois ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Ebere Okpara
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of PharmacyUniversity of Illinois ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Todd A. Lee
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of PharmacyUniversity of Illinois ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Center for Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomic Research, College of PharmacyUniversity of Illinois ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | | | - Ryan D. Nipp
- OU Health Stephenson Cancer CenterOklahoma UniversityOklahoma CityOklahomaUSA
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Gaber CE, Abdelaziz AI, Sarker J, Lund JL, Dellon ES, Cotton CC, Eluri S, Shaheen NJ. Adherence to prescription proton pump inhibitor therapy amongst individuals diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2024; 33:e5760. [PMID: 38362648 DOI: 10.1002/pds.5760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In the United States, clinical guidelines recommend daily use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) amongst individuals diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus to decrease the risk of progression to dysplasia and neoplasia. Prior studies documenting adherence to PPIs in this population have not characterized heterogeneity in adherence patterns. Factors that may relate to adherence are incompletely described. METHODS We used administrative claims data from the Merative MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters database to conduct a retrospective study of adherence to prescription PPIs. A cohort of individuals diagnosed with incident Barrett's esophagus between 2010 and 2019 was identified. Group-based trajectory models were generated to detect longitudinal adherence subgroups. RESULTS 79 701 individuals with a new diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus were identified. The best fitting model detected five distinct adherence trajectory groups: consistently high (44% of the population), moderate decline (18%), slow decline (12%), rapid decline (10%), and decline-then-increase (16%). Compared to individuals starting PPIs, those already using PPIs were less likely to have a declining adherence pattern. Other factors associated with membership in a declining adherence group included (but were not limited to): female sex, having a past diagnosis of anxiety or depression, and having one or more emergency department visits in the past year. DISCUSSION Using an exploratory method, we detected heterogeneity in adherence to prescription PPIs. Less than half of individuals were classified into the consistently high adherence group, suggesting that many individuals with Barrett's esophagus receive inadequate pharmacologic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles E Gaber
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Center for Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmacoepidemiology & Pharmacoeconomic Research, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Abdullah I Abdelaziz
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jyotirmoy Sarker
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jennifer L Lund
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Evan S Dellon
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Cary C Cotton
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Swathi Eluri
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Nicholas J Shaheen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Antoon JW, Sarker J, Abdelaziz A, Lien PW, Williams DJ, Lee TA, Grijalva CG. Trends in Outpatient Influenza Antiviral Use Among Children and Adolescents in the United States. Pediatrics 2023; 152:e2023061960. [PMID: 37953658 PMCID: PMC10681853 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2023-061960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Influenza antivirals improve outcomes in children with duration of symptoms <2 days and those at high risk for influenza complications. Real-world prescribing of influenza antivirals in the pediatric population is unknown. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study of outpatient and emergency department prescription claims in individuals <18 years of age included in the IBM Marketscan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2019. Influenza antiviral use was defined as any dispensing of oseltamivir, baloxavir, or zanamivir. The primary outcome was the rate of antiviral dispensing per 1000 enrolled children. Secondary outcomes included antiviral dispensing per 1000 influenza diagnoses and inflation-adjusted costs of antiviral agents. Outcomes were calculated and stratified by age, acute versus prophylactic treatment, influenza season, and geographic region. RESULTS The analysis included 1 416 764 unique antiviral dispensings between 2010 and 2019. Oseltamivir was the most frequently prescribed antiviral (99.8%). Dispensing rates ranged from 4.4 to 48.6 per 1000 enrolled children. Treatment rates were highest among older children (12-17 years of age), during the 2017 to 2018 influenza season, and in the East South Central region. Guideline-concordant antiviral use among young children (<2 years of age) at a high risk of influenza complications was low (<40%). The inflation-adjusted cost for prescriptions was $208 458 979, and the median cost ranged from $111 to $151. CONCLUSIONS There is wide variability and underuse associated with influenza antiviral use in children. These findings reveal opportunities for improvement in the prevention and treatment of influenza in children.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jyotirmoy Sarker
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Abdullah Abdelaziz
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Pei-Wen Lien
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | - Todd A. Lee
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Carlos G. Grijalva
- Health Policy and Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
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Tice JA, Walton SM, Sarker J, Moradi A, Chu JN, Herce-Hagiwara B, Fahim SM, Agboola F, Rind D, Pearson SD. The effectiveness and value of gene therapy for hemophilia: A Summary from the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review's California Technology Assessment Forum. J Manag Care Spec Pharm 2023; 29:576-581. [PMID: 37121251 PMCID: PMC10387967 DOI: 10.18553/jmcp.2023.29.5.576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
DISCLOSURES: Dr Tice and Mr Sarker received ICER grants during the conduct of the study. Dr Moradi, Ms Herce-Hagiwara, Dr Faghim, Dr Agboola, Dr Rind, and Dr Pearson reports grants from Arnold Ventures, grants from Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA, grants from California Healthcare Foundation, grants from The Commonwealth Fund, grants from The Peterson Center on Healthcare, during the conduct of the study; other from Aetna, other from America's Health Insurance Plans, other from Anthem, other from AbbVie, other from Alnylam, other from AstraZeneca, other from Biogen, other from Blue Shield of CA, other from Cambia Health Services, other from CVS, other from Editas, other from Express Scripts, other from Genentech/Roche, other from GlaxoSmithKline, other from Harvard Pilgrim, other from Health Care Service Corporation, other from Health Partners, other from Johnson & Johnson (Janssen), other from Kaiser Permanente, other from LEO Pharma, other from Mallinckrodt, other from Merck, other from Novartis, other from National Pharmaceutical Council, other from Premera, other from Prime Therapeutics, other from Regeneron, other from Sanofi, other from Spark Therapeutics, other from United Healthcare, other from HealthFirst, other from Pfizer, other from Boehringer-Ingelheim, other from uniQure, other from Evolve Pharmacy Solutions, other from Humana, other from Sun Life, outside the submitted work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A Tice
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of California San Francisco
| | - Surrey M Walton
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago
| | - Jyotirmoy Sarker
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago
| | - Ashton Moradi
- Institute for Clinical and Economic Review, Boston, MA
| | - Janet N Chu
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of California San Francisco
| | | | | | | | - David Rind
- Institute for Clinical and Economic Review, Boston, MA
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Beinfeld M, Wasfy JH, Walton S, Sarker J, Nhan E, Rind DM, Pearson SD. Mavacamten for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: effectiveness and value. J Manag Care Spec Pharm 2022; 28:369-375. [PMID: 35199575 PMCID: PMC10372974 DOI: 10.18553/jmcp.2022.28.3.369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
DISCLOSURES: Funding for this summary was contributed by Arnold Ventures, The Donaghue Foundation, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan to the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER), an independent organization that evaluates the evidence on the value of health care interventions. ICER's annual policy summit is supported by dues from AbbVie, America's Health Insurance Plans, Anthem, Alnylam, AstraZeneca, Biogen, Blue Shield of CA, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Cambia Health Services, CVS, Editas, Evolve Pharmacy, Express Scripts, Genentech/Roche, GlaxoSmithKline, Harvard Pilgrim, Health Care Service Corporation, HealthFirst, Health Partners, Humana, Johnson & Johnson (Janssen), Kaiser Permanente, LEO Pharma, Mallinckrodt, Merck, Novartis, National Pharmaceutical Council, Pfizer, Premera, Prime Therapeutics, Regeneron, Sanofi, Sun Life Financial, uniQure, and United Healthcare. Beinfeld, Nhan, Rind, and Pearson are employed by ICER. Through their affiliated institutions, Wasfy, Walton, and Sarker received funding from ICER for the work described in this summary. Walton also reports consulting fees from Second City Outcomes Research. Wasfy reports personal fees from Biotronik and Pfizer; grants from National Institutes of Health, National Football League Players Association and American Heart Association; and travel support from American College of Cardiology. Sarker has nothing additional to disclose.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jason H Wasfy
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Surrey Walton
- University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy, Chicago, IL
| | - Jyotirmoy Sarker
- University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy, Chicago, IL
| | - Emily Nhan
- Institute for Clinical and Economic Review, Boston, MA
| | - David M Rind
- Institute for Clinical and Economic Review, Boston, MA
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Sarker J, Das P, Sarker S, Roy AK, Momen AZMR. A Review on Expression, Pathological Roles, and Inhibition of TMPRSS2, the Serine Protease Responsible for SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Activation. Scientifica (Cairo) 2021; 2021:2706789. [PMID: 34336361 PMCID: PMC8313365 DOI: 10.1155/2021/2706789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, uses the host cell membrane receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) for anchoring its spike protein, and the subsequent membrane fusion process is facilitated by host membrane proteases. Recent studies have shown that transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), a protease known for similar role in previous coronavirus infections, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), is responsible for the proteolytic cleavage of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, enabling host cell fusion of the virus. TMPRSS2 is known to be expressed in the epithelial cells of different sites including gastrointestinal, respiratory, and genitourinary system. The infection site of the SARS-CoV-2 correlates with the coexpression sites of ACE2 and TMPRSS2. Besides, age-, sex-, and comorbidity-associated variation in infection rate correlates with the expression rate of TMPRSS2 in those groups. These findings provide valid reasons for the assumption that inhibiting TMPRSS2 can have a beneficial effect in reducing the cellular entry of the virus, ultimately affecting the infection rate and case severity. Several drug development studies are going on to develop potential inhibitors of the protease, using both conventional and computational approaches. Complete understanding of the biological roles of TMPRSS2 is necessary before such therapies are applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyotirmoy Sarker
- Department of Pharmacy, Jagannath University, Dhaka 1100, Bangladesh
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Pritha Das
- Independent Author, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
| | - Sabarni Sarker
- Department of Pharmacy, Jagannath University, Dhaka 1100, Bangladesh
| | - Apurba Kumar Roy
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
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Uddin MS, Mamun AA, Hossain MS, Ashaduzzaman M, Noor MAA, Hossain MS, Uddin MJ, Sarker J, Asaduzzaman M. Neuroprotective Effect of <i>Phyllanthus acidus</i> L. on Learning and Memory Impairment in Scopolamine-Induced Animal Model of Dementia and Oxidative Stress: Natural Wonder for Regulating the Development and Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.4236/aad.2016.52005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Abstract
Clinical trials involve the application of different medical interventions on human participants. Randomized controlled trials involve different groups of human subjects undergoing different clinical interventions. This process ensures bias free subject allocation which leads to a way to statistically establish the research result. Strict ethical guidance is necessary from selection of participants to the analysis of trial results. Without proper guidance the trial participants would be subjected to unethical experiments. Before starting the randomized controlled trials the investigators must meet all ethics issues. The institutional review board (IRB) must check whether all ethical demands are met or not before permitting the research. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bioethics.v5i1.18441 Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2014 Vol.5(1): 1-4
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Sarker J, Chu A, Mui K, Wolfgang J, Hirsch A, Chen G, Sharp G. SU-FF-T-655: A Simulation of Position and Volume Errors in 4D-CT Caused by Irregular Breathing. Med Phys 2009. [DOI: 10.1118/1.3182153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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Fleming AS, Gavarth K, Sarker J. Effects of transections to the vomeronasal nerves or to the main olfactory bulbs on the initiation and long-term retention of maternal behavior in primiparous rats. Behav Neural Biol 1992; 57:177-88. [PMID: 1616453 DOI: 10.1016/0163-1047(92)90122-k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
While the onset of maternal behavior at parturition is mediated by hormones, the maintenance of maternal behavior during the first few postpartum weeks depends on experiences acquired while the dam interacts with pups (Rosenblatt, 1990). In fact, if female rats are permitted as little as 2 h or maternal experience within 36 h after Cesarean delivery, they exhibit heightened maternal behavior during maternal induction tests 10 days later; in contrast, dams separated from young at the time of Cesarean delivery and not permitted a maternal experience fail to respond maternally in tests 10 days later (Orpen & Fleming, 1987). In this study we investigated the role of chemosensory input through the vomeronasal and main olfactory systems in this maternal experience effect. Six groups of primiparous females were tested for maternal behavior to foster pups presented 9-10 days after Cesarean delivery: three groups were permitted to interact with pups for a 2-h period 36 h after Cesarean delivery; and three groups were separated from pups until testing and were given no maternal experience. Within each experience condition, one group sustained bilateral section of the vomeronasal nerves, one sustained bilateral coronal cuts through the midsection of the main olfactory bulbs, and one group sustained small medial olfactory bulb cuts. The results showed that animals sustaining vomeronasal or olfactory transections, regardless of experience condition, exhibited significantly reduced latencies to maternal behavior in maternal induction tests. However, these chemosensory disruptions did not prevent an additional facilitation of maternal behavior produced by a prior maternal experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- A S Fleming
- Department of Psychology, Erindale College, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
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Abstract
Three studies were conducted to determine the effects of reproductive condition and hormonal background on the acquisition and retention of a prior maternal experience. In the first study five experience conditions were compared. All animals gave birth and received either no postpartum contact with pups or 1/2 hr, 1 hr, 2 hr or 24 hr of pup contact and were tested for maternal behavior 10 days later. Animals receiving pregnancy and parturitional experience, but minimal social experience with young, exhibited significantly longer maternal onset latencies than did groups receiving 2 or 24 hr of prior experience; also, comparisons of 10- and 30-day retention intervals indicated that animals tested 10 days after a 24-hr experience exhibited shorter latencies than those tested 30 days later. Thus, the duration of the postpartum experience and the interval since prior experience both affect the level of maternal responsiveness shown. In the second study six groups of females were tested. Four groups were permitted one day of interaction with pups either after parturition (primiparous animals) or following pup induction procedures (nulliparous animals) and were tested for their maternal responsiveness to foster pups 25-35 days later, either on day 19 of a subsequent pregnancy or following resumption of estrous cycling. For most measures of maternal behavior there were significant main experience and test effects; experienced and pregnant animals exhibited shorter latencies to retrieve, lick and crouch over pups than did inexperienced and cycling animals, respectively. Significant interactions were also found for genital licking latency as well as for retrieval and crouch frequencies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- A S Fleming
- Department of Psychology, Erindale College, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
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