Gender differences in the relation between interview-derived hostility scores and resting blood pressure

We examined the correlations between Structured Interview (SI)-derived hostility scores and resting blood pressure (BP) to see if they would be the same or different for healthy men and women. Standard risk factor information and resting BP measures were obtained from 193 undergraduates (109 men, 84 women), who underwent the SI. Subjects were rated for Potential for Hostility, Hostile Style, Intensity and Content, and completed Antagonism and Neuroticism scales. As expected, SI hostility scores were related to higher resting SBP in men, however; in women, they were related to lower resting SBP and Neuroticism. Regression analyses controlling for standard CHD risk factors indicated that SI-derived hostility predicted resting SBP and hypertensive status in both men and women, though in opposite directions. Thus, SI-derived hostility may assess a different construct in women than in men.

Dopaminergic regulation of quiet biting attack behavior in the cat

The present study provides evidence for the involvement of dopamine in the regulation of quiet biting attack behavior. Utilizing monopolar electrodes, quiet biting attack was elicited by electrical stimulation of lateral hypothalamus in five cats. After stable baseline response latency values were established, the nonselective dopamine agonist, apomorphine, was administered peripherally (IP, 1.0, 1.4 and 1.8 mg/kg), and its effects upon the attack response were identified. Apomorphine significantly facilitated the occurrence of quiet biting attack in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Conversely, quiet biting attack behavior was also suppressed in a dose- and time-dependent manner by the selective D2 antagonist, spiperone (0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 mg/kg), but not by the selective D1 antagonist, SCH 23390 (0.8 mg/kg). Moreover, pretreatment with spiperone (0.2 mg/kg) completely blocked the facilitatory effects of 1.4 mg/kg of apomorphine, while SCH 23390 (0.8 mg/kg) pretreatment failed to alter apomorphine-induced facilitation of the attack response. In addition, neither apomorphine nor spiperone altered response latencies for hypothalamically elicited circling behavior. The results suggest that dopamine plays a significant role in the regulation of quiet biting attack behavior.

Juvenile diabetics growing up

Investigation of the present state of 45 diabetic children diagnosed in South Warwickshire between 1950 and 1965 disclosed an unexpectedly high mortality and morbidity in this group.