Biomedical subjects

Gary K Beauchamp

Publications and source records attributed to Gary K Beauchamp.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2003

Effects of repeated exposure and health-related information on hedonic evaluation and acceptance of a bitter beverage.

The influence of exposure and information on sensory evaluation and acceptance of bitter flavor was assessed. Following sensory testing in the laboratory, subjects consumed a commercially-available bittersweet beverage once daily for 7days in a setting of their choosing, then returned to the laboratory for post-exposure tests. Hedonic ratings for the beverage increased by 68%, whereas ratings for control stimuli sampled only in the laboratory did not change. Following exposure, relationships of hedonic ratings with intensity and familiarity varied according to the context in which evaluations were made: hedonic ratings were correlated with intensity in a familiar setting and with familiarity in an unfamiliar setting. Health-related information had no effect on perceptual changes that accompanied exposure, but did tend to increase a behavioral measure of acceptability, suggesting that information may have a greater effect on behavior than on hedonics. Together, the data suggest that repeated exposure can enhance hedonic evaluation of a bittersweet beverage, perhaps through a learned association of flavor with post-ingestive consequences. Context may mediate this effect and studies addressing the influence of information on bitter food acceptance should include measures of consumption and evaluate information strategies, as bitter foods may be particularly resistant to cognitively-based appeals.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Olfactory fingerprints for major histocompatibility complex-determined body odors II: relationship among odor maps, genetics, odor composition, and behavior.

The olfactory system detects small differences in the composition of natural odorants, made up of hundreds of molecules. Odorous quality is hypothetically represented by a combinatorial code: activation of distinct but overlapping subsets of olfactory receptors resulting in activation of a distinct subset of glomeruli in the main olfactory bulb (MOB). Here we show that modification of a single gene (the K gene of the major histocompatibility locus), which results in a subtle change in the odiferous quality of urine, causes a small but significant change in the composition of urine volatiles and consequently the evoked glomerular activation pattern in the MOB. The magnitude of disparity between urine-evoked glomerular activation patterns is predictive of the extent of (1) the genetic difference among the urine donors, (2) the difference in the chemical composition of urine, and (3) the odor detector's ability to discriminate. These data on natural odors are consistent with the combinatorial code hypothesis and identify subsets of glomeruli that are apt to play a significant role in mediating individual recognition.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Presence of mouse mammary tumor virus specifically alters the body odor of mice.

It has long been recognized that various genetic and metabolic human disorders alter body odor, which is not surprising because they may alter body chemistry. Thus, it has been suggested that some human diseases may be diagnosed by odor alone. In that regard, the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) and its tumors of mice, which may have human counterparts, are of special interest because of the need for basic research possible only in inbred and genetically defined animals. Accordingly, we now show that the mouse MMTV, whether obtained environmentally or genetically transmitted, alters the body odor of mice in both males and females, and regardless of the presence or absence of tumors. These observations, together with the prospect of artificial human odor discrimination, may aid in the search for early human diagnostics.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Genetic, physical, and comparative map of the subtelomeric region of mouse Chromosome 4.

The subtelomeric region of mouse chromosome (Chr) 4 harbors loci with effects on behavior, development, and disease susceptibility. Regions near the telomeres are more difficult to map and characterize than other areas because of the unique features of subtelomeric DNA. As a result of these problems, the available mapping information for this part of mouse Chr 4 was insufficient to pursue candidate gene evaluation. Therefore, we sought to characterize the area in greater detail by creating a comprehensive genetic, physical, and comparative map. We constructed a genetic map that contained 30 markers and covered 13.3 cM; then we created a 1.2-Mb sequence-ready BAC contig, representing a 5.1-cM area, and sequenced a 246-kb mouse BAC from this contig. The resulting sequence, as well as approximately 40 kb of previously deposited genomic sequence, yielded a total of 284 kb of sequence, which contained over 20 putative genes. These putative genes were confirmed by matching ESTs or cDNA in the public databases to the genomic sequence and/or by direct sequencing of cDNA. Comparative genome sequence analysis demonstrated conserved synteny between the mouse and the human genomes (1p36.3). DNA from two strains of mice (C57BL/6ByJ and 129P3/J) was sequenced to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The frequency of SNPs in this region was more than threefold higher than the genome-wide average for comparable mouse strains (129/Sv and C57BL/6J). The resulting SNP map, in conjunction with the sequence annotation and with physical and genetic maps, provides a detailed description of this gene-rich region. These data will facilitate genetic and comparative mapping studies and identification of a large number of novel candidate genes for the trait loci mapped to this region.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Flavor experiences during formula feeding are related to preferences during childhood.

As part of a program of research designed to investigate the long-term effects of early feeding experiences, the present study exploited the substantial flavor variation inherent in three classes of commercially available infant formulas and determined whether flavor preferences during childhood differed as a function of the class of formula (i.e., milk, soy, hydrolysate) that 4- to 5-year-old children were fed during their infancy. Age appropriate, game-like tasks that were fun for children and minimized the impact of language development were used to examine their preferences for a wide range of food-related odor qualities including infant formulas, as well as the flavor of milk-based and hydrolysate formulas and plain, sour- and bitter-flavored apple juices. Formula type influenced children's flavor preferences when tested several years after their last exposure to the formula. When compared to children who were fed milk-based formulas (n=27), children fed protein hydrolysate formulas (n=50) were more likely to prefer sour-flavored juices, as well as the odor and flavor of formulas, and less likely to make negative facial expressions during the taste tests. Those fed soy formulas (n=27) preferred the bitter-flavored apple juice. That the effects of differential formula feeding also modified children's food preferences is suggested by mothers' reports that children fed hydrolysate or soy formulas were significantly more likely to prefer broccoli than were those fed milk formulas. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that flavor experiences influence subsequent flavor preferences even several years following the early experience.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Voluntary consumption of NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, and NH4Cl solutions by 28 mouse strains.

Male mice from 28 inbred strains (129P3/J, A/J, AKR/J, BALB/cByJ, BUB/BnJ, C3H/HeJ, C57BL/6J, C57L/J, CAST/Ei, CBA/J, CE/J, DBA/2J, FVB/NJ, I/LnJ, KK/H1J, LP/J, NOD/LtJ, NZB/B1NJ, P/J, PL/J, RBF/DnJ, RF/J, RIIIS/J, SEA/GnJ, SJL/J, SM/J, SPRET/Ei, and SWR/J) were tested with NaCl (75-450 mM), KCl (30-300 mM), CaCl2 (3-100 mM), and NH4Cl (10-300 mM) solutions using two-bottle preference tests with water as the second choice. For each mineral, there was a wide range of strain variation in solution intakes and preferences. This variation had a substantial genetic component as assessed using heritability estimates. In most cases, the strain means were continuously distributed; however, strains with deviating high or low intakes or preferences were also observed. The associations among the responses to different minerals were only modest, suggesting distinct genetic controls of sodium, potassium, calcium, and ammonium consumption. These results provide a valuable resource for investigators who wish to identify genes involved in the regulation of mineral consumption and balance.

Ammonium Chloride↗

PubMed2002

Food intake, water intake, and drinking spout side preference of 28 mouse strains.

Male mice from 28 inbred strains (129P3/J, A/J, AKR/J, BALB/cByJ, BUB/BnJ, C3H/HeJ, C57BL/6J, C57L/J, CAST/Ei, CBA/J, CE/J, DBA/2J, FVB/NJ, I/LnJ, KK/H1J, LP/J, NOD/LtJ, NZB/B1NJ, P/J, PL/J, RBF/DnJ, RF/J, RIIIS/J, SEA/GnJ, SJL/J, SM/J, SPRET/Ei, and SWR/J) were fed chow and had access to two water bottles. Body weight, food intake, water intake, and drinking spout side preference were measured. There were large strain differences in all the measures collected, with at least a two-fold difference between strains with the lowest and the highest trait values. Estimates of heritability ranged from 0.36 (spout side preference) to 0.87 (body weight). Body weight, food intake, and water intake were interrelated among the strains, although substantial strain variation in food and water intakes independent from body weight was present. The strain differences described here provide useful information for designing mutagenesis screens and choosing strains for genetic mapping studies.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Voluntary ethanol consumption by mice: genome-wide analysis of quantitative trait loci and their interactions in a C57BL/6ByJ x 129P3/J F2 intercross.

Consumption of ethanol solutions by rodents in two-bottle choice tests is a model to study human alcohol intake. Mice of the C57BL/6ByJ strain have higher ethanol preferences and intakes than do mice of the 129P3/J strain. F2 hybrids between these two strains were phenotyped using two-bottle tests involving a choice between water and either 3% or 10% ethanol. High ethanol preferences and intakes of the B6 mice were inherited as additive or dominant traits in the F2 generation. A genome screen using these F2 mice identified three significant linkages. Two loci, on distal chromosome 4 (Ap3q) and proximal chromosome 7 (Ap7q), strongly affected 10% ethanol intake and weakly affected 3% ethanol intake. A male-specific locus on proximal chromosome 8 (Ap8q) affected 3% ethanol preference, but not indexes of 10% ethanol consumption. In addition, six suggestive linkages (on chromosomes 2, 9, 12, 13, 17, and 18) affecting indexes of 3% and/or 10% ethanol consumption were detected. The loci with significant and suggestive linkages accounted for 35-44% of the genetic variation in ethanol consumption phenotypes. No additive-by-additive epistatic interactions were detected for the primary loci with significant and suggestive linkages. However, there were a few modifiers of the primary linkages and a number of interactions among unlinked loci. This demonstrates a significant role of the genetic background in the variation of ethanol consumption.

Alcohol Drinking↗