According to our earlier results, non-painful, weak afferent visceral signals may exert a steady influence on brain processes, including cognitive functions. In the present series colonic impulses of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) subjects served as a model of chronic impact from the gut. Hemispheric preference, as well as cognitive style of information processing served as indicators of covert changes in brain functions. In twenty-one IBS patients and in ten control subjects of both sexes, the thresholds of minimal colonic distension sensitivity has been measured following the determination of hemispheric preference and of advantage in verbal or spatial information processing of the subjects. In IBS patients distension thresholds proved to be higher in verbals than in spatials, whereas in healthy controls the relationship of colonic thresholds and verbal versus spatial advantage was reversed. Among the normal controls with left hemisphere preference a significantly higher distension threshold has been observed than in those with right hemisphere preference, whereas in the IBS group such threshold-differences were not observable.

Adult↗

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The development of close relationships in Japan and the United States: paths of symbiotic harmony and generative tension.

Findings from research on parent-child and adult mate relationships suggest that there are different paths of development in Japan and the United States. In Japan, the path is one of symbiotic harmony, as seen in the emphasis on union in infancy, others' expectations in childhood, the stability of relationships with parents and peers in adolescence, and assurance about the mate relationship in adulthood. In the United States, the path is one of generative tension, as seen in the tug between separation and reunion in infancy, the emphasis on personal preferences in childhood, the transfer of closeness from parents to peers in adolescence, and the emphasis on trust-a faith and hope in new relationships-in adulthood. The notion that there are different paths of development challenges Western investigators' presumption that certain processes-separation-individuation, use of the relational partner as a secure base for exploration, and conflict between partners-are central in all relationships. The notion of different paths also challenges the assumption of many cross-cultural investigators that relationships in the United States are less valued or weaker than those in Japan; this article highlights cultural differences in the meaning and dynamics, as opposed to the importance and strength, of relationships. The model suggests a need to investigate the processes underlying, and the adaptive consequences of, these two alternative paths.

Adolescent↗

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Trade-offs in the study of culture and development: theories, methods, and values.

The commentators are unanimous in their support for our general orientation to culture and development, and for the pathways we have identified, and they suggest ways to enrich our approach to theory, methods, and values. We view their main suggestions as relating to trade-offs: between theories that highlight generalizations or exceptions; between methods that rely on one-, two-, or multiculture studies; and between values involving individuation or accommodation. Here, we describe ways to find an optimal balance in each instance.

Adult↗

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Localization of dopamine and norepinephrine in the medial basal hypothalamus of the rat.

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Animals↗

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Effects of prolactin and LH on the activity of delta5-3beta hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase, dihydro-orotic dehydrogenase, b-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the testis of the dwarf mice.

The activity of delta5-3beta Hydroxysteroid hydro-genase, dihydro orotic dehydrogenase, B-Hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was studied in the testes of hereditary dwarf mice treated with Prolactin or LH. Two months old dw/dw dwarf mice were injected twice daily, for 14 days, either with 100 mug ovine Prolactin, or 5 mug ovine LH twice a day. Prolactin treatment increased the activity of all the enzymes assessed. Treatment with LH stimulated the activity of all the enzymes as compared to the saline treated animals but less than the Prolactin treated ones. The data bearing that the increased activity of several oxidising enzymes in the testes of hereditary dwarf mice is increased with Prolactin, is consistent with the suggested effect of this hormone on testicular steroidogenesis.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of mental load on the spectral components of heart period variability in twins.

The contribution of genetic and environmental control to stress-related cardiovascular reactions was investigated in 10 monozygotic and 10 dizygotic twin pairs during mental arithmetics. Non-invasive indices reflecting vagal and sympathetic activity were used, namely: indices of myocardial contractility based on impedance cardiogram, and spectral components of heart period variance. Autoregressive algorithms were developed for heart period power spectral density estimation providing automatic decomposition of heart period spectra into individual spectral components. During the mental task spectral energy of the mid-frequency (central frequency approximately 0.1 Hz) and high frequency (around respiratory frequency) components of heart period variance significantly decreased indicating vagal withdrawal. A task-related increase of the mid-frequency component relative to the high-frequency component was obtained. This change in the ratio of the two components as well as the considerable shortening of the contractility indices are pointing to sympathetic activation. When comparing intraclass correlations computed separately for monozygotic and dizygotic twins highly significant correlations were found for the mid-frequency component in monozygotic but not in dizygotic twin pairs in resting condition indicating a substantial genetic contribution to the control mechanisms involved in the baroreflex. Contribution of genetic factors to the control of stress-related interplay of autonomic outflows has been shown.

Adult↗