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Behavioural Profile (behavioural + profile)
Selected AbstractsNeuropeptide S is a stimulatory anxiolytic agent: a behavioural study in miceBRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 2 2008A Rizzi Background and purpose: Neuropeptide S (NPS) was recently identified as the endogenous ligand of an orphan receptor, now referred to as the NPS receptor. In vivo, NPS produces a unique behavioural profile by increasing wakefulness and exerting anxiolytic-like effects. In the present study, we further evaluated the effects of in vivo supraspinal NPS in mice. Experimental approach: Effects of NPS, injected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.), on locomotor activity (LA), righting reflex (RR) recovery and on anxiety states (measured with the elevated plus maze (EPM) and stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH) tests) were assessed in Swiss mice. Key results: NPS (0.01,1 nmol per mouse) caused a significant increase in LA in naive mice, in mice habituated to the test cages and in animals sedated with diazepam (5 mg kg,1). In the RR assay, NPS dose dependently reduced the proportion of animals losing the RR in response to diazepam (15 mg kg,1) and their sleeping time. In the EPM and SIH test, NPS dose dependently evoked anxiolytic-like effects by increasing the time spent by animals in the open arms and reducing the SIH response, respectively. Conclusions and implications: We provide further evidence that NPS acts as a novel modulator of arousal and anxiety-related behaviours by promoting a unique pattern of effects: stimulation associated with anxiolysis. Therefore, NPS receptor ligands may represent innovative drugs for the treatment of sleep and anxiety disorders. British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 154, 471,479; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.96; published online 31 March 2008 [source] Neonatal behavioural profile and crying in premature infants at term ageACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 11 2006Shohei Ohgi Abstract Aim: To analyse behavioural characteristics of infants who cried more versus those who cried less, in a sample of low-risk premature infants. Methods: Participants were 63 low-risk healthy premature infants. At term age, the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) was administered, and a 1-d diary for crying was recorded starting on the following day. Infants were categorized into two groups: those with "high level of crying" (,75th percentile) and those with "less crying" (<75th percentile), based on the total amount of crying time. Results: Some individual NBAS scores and "habituation" and "regulation of state" cluster scores were lower in the high-level-of-crying group. Infants in the group with a high level of crying had lower thresholds for response in the "peak of excitement", "rapidity of build-up", "irritability" and "general irritability" items. Logistic regression analysis revealed that lower "habituation" and "regulation of state" cluster scores were significantly associated with lower thresholds for crying. Conclusion: These results suggest that neonatal behavioural characteristics, such as hyperresponsivity and poor state regulation, are associated with high levels of crying. Clinical assessments based on the NBAS may help parents elucidate their infant's level of tolerance for stimuli, and identify strategies to minimize their crying. [source] Behavioural correlates of early-treated congenital hypothyroidismACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 10 2001L Kooistra Parents' and teachers' ratings were used to evaluate the behavioural characteristics of children with early-treated congenital hypothyroidism (CH). Comparisons were made between 63 children with early-treated CH and 34 healthy controls at the ages of 7.5 and 9.5 y. Additional comparisons were made between the two largest CH subgroups (thyroid agenesis, thyroid dysgenesis) and controls. The most marked differences were found on the introversion cluster and the motor clumsiness scale within it. Children with CH, particularly those with thyroid agenesis, showed introversion and motor clumsiness rather than social negativity and inattention. It is suggested that this behavioural profile may well have its origins in the often-reported inefficient motor behaviour of these children. Results are discussed in the light of recent findings suggesting an association between thyroid hormone problems and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Conclusion: Early-treated CH is associated with introversion rather than with social negativity. [source] Consumers' beliefs, attitudes and intentions towards genetically modified foods, based on the 'perceived safety vs. benefits' perspectiveINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 4 2005Ioannis S. Arvanitoyannis Summary It has been repeatedly claimed that the application of genetic engineering in the field of agricultural and food production is both beneficial and advantageous. However, biotechnology is developing in an environment where public concerns about food safety and environmental protection are steadily increasing. The present study aims at gaining an insight into Greek consumers' beliefs, attitudes and intentions towards genetically modified (GM) food products. The objectives of this study are summarized as follows (i) to provide evidence that consumer beliefs are built around the ,safety-benefits' axis, and (ii) to segment the Greek market in terms of consumer beliefs about GM food products and identify a number of clusters with clear-cut behavioural profiles. Although the overall attitude of Greek consumers towards GM food is negative, the research very interestingly concludes that there exists a market segment of substantial size, whose beliefs about GM food appears to be positive. This finding suggests that there is not a ,consensus' regarding the rejection of GM foods in the Greek market as one might have expected thus ,encouraging' the implementation of adequate marketing strategies to target this segment of ,early adopters' in the first place. [source] Effect of an early intervention programme on low birthweight infants with cerebral injuriesJOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 12 2004S Ohgi Objective: To determine the effect of an early intervention programme (EIP) on low birthweight infants with cerebral injuries. Methods: Subjects were 23 high-risk low birthweight infants (periventricular leukomalacia 15, intraventricular haemorrhage 5, both 3) receiving care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Nagasaki University Hospital. Subjects were randomly assigned to the EIP group (n = 12) or the control group (n = 11). Participants in the EIP group received a Neonatal Behavioral Assessment scale (NBAS)-based intervention combined with developmental support designed to enhance the infants' development and the quality of the parent,infant relationship. The control group received routine medical nursing care without the EIP. The EIP began prior to discharge from the NICU and lasted until 6 months of corrected age. All children were examined on the NBAS preintervention and again at 44 weeks postconceptional age. Maternal anxiety status (STAI) and maternal feelings of confidence in dealing with her baby (LCC) were measured pre and postintervention. Mental and motor development was assessed postintervention using the Bayley Scale of Infant Development. Results: Orientation and State Regulation of infant behavioural profiles, the STAI and LCC scores significantly improved in the EIP group (mean difference (95% CI): Orientation 0.7 (0.4, 1.1), State Regulation 0.9 (0.3, 1.5), STAI ,5.5 (, 9.1, ,1.9, LCC 5.3 (4.2, 6.5)), but not in the control group. Bayley mental developmental index (MDI) score in the EIP group was higher than in the control group, but there was no significant difference between the two groups (mean difference (95% CI): MDI 8.5 (, 0.8, 17.8), PDI 6.7 (, 1.9, 15.4)). Conclusion: The EIP has beneficial effects on neonatal neurobehavioural development and maternal mental health of low birthweight infants with cerebral injuries. This evidence suggests that short-term changes in maternal mental health and infant neurobehaviour promoted by an EIP may serve to initiate a positive interaction between parents and infants. [source] | ||||||||||