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Interaction of progesterone and estrogens on the hypothalamic center controlling estrous behavior in sheep.

Behavioral estrus of castrated and with progesterone treated ewes, induced by implantation of 17-beta-estradiol into the area controlling the sexual behavior, was completely modified as compared with that of castrated but non treated with progesterone ones. The length of behavioral estrus in the non treated ewes was 24-30 hr and its symptoms were rather weakly expressed. On the contrary, the ewes treated with progesterone did not exhibit any behavioral estrus after implantation throughout the whole period of the treatment. They showed symptoms of behavioral estrus on the 2nd day after the injections of progesterone were stopped; in such cases the symptoms were strongly expressed and lasted for 3-6 days. Since the estradiol, implanted into the hypothalamic sexual behavior center, was acting locally, the described reaction of ewes might be thought of as the effect of interaction of progesterone and estradiol being displayed on the level of specific neuronal receptors of this center.

Animals↗

Scale construction for measuring attitude, beliefs, perception of control, and intention to exercise.

BACKGROUND: Using the Theory of Planned Behavior as a framework, the Fitness Attitude, Expectations of Others, Perceived Behavioral Control, and Intention to Exercise Scales were developed. Professionals in exercise physiology generated items for the instruments. Experts in clinical psychology and exercise physiology established content validity. METHODS: Each of the scale items is phrased in a rating scale format. Both unipolar and bipolar scales were developed with seven response choices offered. Following the pilot testing and subsequent revisions, 19 items were retained in the Fitness Attitude Scale, seven items were retained in the Expectations of Others Scale, three items were retained in the Perceived Behavioral Control Scale, and 11 items were retained in the Intention to Exercise Scale. RESULTS: Correlation coefficients for the total instruments were significantly positive for stability and internal consistency, ranging from a = 0.75 to a = 0.87. Exercise specialists may wish to implement the use of these scales in their practices to develop intervention techniques for the promotion of positive fitness attitudes, good perception of control over the ability to exercise, and good intentions to exercise. CONCLUSIONS: The positive results in this study s sample suggest that these scales are ready for application in the field, but they should be pilot-tested with each group to check reliability with the particular population.

Adult↗

Self-control of level of mechanical ventilation to minimize CO2 induced air hunger.

Hypercapnia produces an uncomfortable urge to breathe ('air hunger'), which is alleviated by increasing breathing. It has been postulated that awake humans control breathing partly to minimize these sensations; such behavioral control presumably involves the forebrain. To test this postulate, we compared the ventilatory response to hypercapnia when the subject breathed spontaneously to the response when the subject used forebrain commands to control ventilation--on the basis of minimizing air hunger (achieved with subject-controlled positive pressure ventilation). In six healthy adults during hypercapnia (46 mmHg), spontaneous ventilation significantly exceeded, by 17%, the level of (mechanical) ventilation needed to alleviate air hunger. This suggests that spontaneous breathing is not behaviorally controlled to minimize discomfort. Alternatively, mechanical ventilation confers an additional relief of air hunger beyond that provided by spontaneous breathing. Since mechanical ventilation (with reduced respiratory muscle contraction) was more effective than spontaneous breathing in relieving air hunger, our results also suggest afferents that signal the degree of respiratory muscle contraction do not contribute to air hunger relief.

Adult↗

Regular exercise in 30- to 60-year-old men: combining the stages-of-change model and the theory of planned behavior to identify determinants for targeting heart health interventions.

The theory of planned behavior and the stages-of-change model were used to gain a clearer understanding of the factors associated with regular exercise in order to plan more effective programs in heart disease prevention. The study was conducted using a self-administered postal questionnaire sent to a sample of 2,269 men 30 to 60 years of age. Nearly a quarter (23.3%) of respondents were physically inactive, of whom 10.5% were in the precontemplation and 12.8% in the contemplation stages; 42.1% exercised less than twice a week, of whom 22.4% were in the preparation I and 19.7% in the preparation II stages. Only 34.6% were in the action stage, exercising regularly for at least 20 minutes twice a week or more with the intention of continuing to do so. Logistic regression indicated that the variables derived from the theory of planned behavior, namely attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control, were differently associated with the stages of behavior. Perceived behavioral control was strongly significant in all stages. Attitude was related with stages in which individuals have intention of exercising (contemplation and preparation II). In contrast, subjective norm seemed to be associated with stages in which individuals have no intention of doing so (precontemplation and preparation I). By identifying the specific needs of sub-groups, the results can help define programs most likely to accelerate men to the stage of regular exercise, part of an effective strategy for heart health promotion in this high-risk population.

Adult↗

Stress-induced relapse to heroin and cocaine seeking in rats: a review.

Studies in humans suggest that exposure to stress increases the probability of relapse to drug use, but until recently there has been no animal model to study the mechanisms that mediate this effect. We have developed a reinstatement procedure that allows us to study the effect of stress on relapse to drug seeking in rats. Using this procedure, we have shown that exposure to intermittent footshock stress reliably reinstates heroin and cocaine seeking after prolonged drug-free periods. In the present paper, we summarize results from several studies on stress-induced reinstatement of heroin and cocaine seeking in rats. We first assess the degree to which the phenomenon of stress-induced relapse generalizes to other stressors, to behaviors controlled by other drugs of abuse, and to behaviors controlled by non-drug reinforcers. We then review evidence from studies concerned with the neurotransmitters, the brain sites, and the neural systems involved in stress-induced reinstatement of drug seeking. Finally, we consider the mechanisms that might underlie stress-induced relapse to drug seeking and the possible implications of the findings for the treatment of relapse to drug use in humans.

Animals↗

Emergence of interoceptive and exteroceptive control of behavior in rats.

The role of exteroceptive and interoceptive aversive stimuli in rats 2 to 14 days old was investigated according to an odor aversion paradigm. Amyl acetate odor was paired with eigher peripheral shock, intraperitoneal shock, or lithium chloride poisoning. Intraperitoneal shock was an effective unconditioned stimulus at all ages and produced odor aversions comparable to lithium chloride poisoning; peripheral shock, however, was effective only in rats 10 days of age or older. Interoceptive control of aversively motivated behaviors thus seems to develop before exteroceptive control, and the failure of previous studies to find reliable learning and retention of shock-motivated behaviors before 8 to 10 days of age may be attributable to the site to which shock was applied rather than to insensitivity to shock per se.

Age Factors↗

Motivations to control drinking behavior in abstainers, moderate, and heavy drinkers.

Motives and motivational concepts to control quantity (Q) and frequency (F) of alcohol consumption were investigated in 192 participants using a questionnaire of motives to control drinking (MCD-Q/F) developed earlier. The daily quantity of consumption was assessed by the "30 day by beverage questionnaire." Participants were grouped into heavy or moderate drinkers (limits: females 40, males 60 gram alcohol/day) and abstainers. Analyses of motives showed the importance of car driving, controlling appetite/desire, and prevention of impaired mental performance. The relative impact of motivational concepts were analyzed by cluster analysis of motives revealing three clusters: 1) emotional concepts/fear of addiction, 2) physiological sensations/interaction with concrete actual plans, 3) cognitive concepts (plans, self-control, no impairment/no desire). MANOVA of MCD-Q/F indicate highest scores for moderate drinkers and significant lower scores in heavy drinkers in controlling frequency of drinking (MCD-F). Group effect for emotional concepts failed significance, higher scores of physiological concepts were found in imbibers compared to abstainers, and scores of cognitive concepts were lower in heavy drinkers. Results indicate that for imbibers a reduced motivation to control frequency of drinking as well as low scores in cognitive concepts and a trend to high scores in emotional concepts are associated with heavy drinking.

Adult↗

A health belief model approach to adolescents' fertility control: some pilot program findings.

We report initial findings from a community-based intervention intended to strengthen unmarried teenagers' fertility control behaviors (i.e., abstinence or consistent contraceptive usage). The Health Belief Model (HBM) was used as a conceptual framework for developing curriculum materials and for evaluating a 15-hour educational program targeted at 13- to 17-year-olds of both genders. Interview data pertaining to sexual and contraceptive perceptions, knowledge, and behaviors were collected three times in a no-control, short-term, longitudinal study design: (1) just before; (2) immediately after; and (3) three to six months following the intervention. Dependent variables of major interest were changes in perceptions, knowledge, and self-reported fertility control behaviors. Based on data from the 120 teenagers who completed the followup (80% of those completing the intervention), we found: (1) consistent contraceptive usage increased significantly; (2) changes in HBM-based contraceptive perceptions and sexual knowledge at immediate post-testing were predictive of increases in contraceptive usage at longer followup; and (3) the majority (62%) remained abstinent from pre-intervention to followup. These findings, study limitations, and suggestions for a future controlled study are then discussed.

Adolescent↗

Is family-based behavioral weight control appropriate for severe pediatric obesity?

OBJECTIVE: Although the efficacy of family-based behavioral treatment for moderate pediatric obesity has been well established, few studies have focused on the treatment of severe obesity. We sought to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of a family-based intervention for severely obese children. METHOD: Twenty-four families with children aged 8-12 years who were > or =160% of their ideal body weight participated in a 10-12-session behavioral intervention. Participants were weighed and their heights measured at the start of each treatment session and during a follow-up visit 4-13 (M = 7.8) months posttreatment. Children also completed measures of depressive symptoms and anxiety at pretreatment, posttreatment, and follow-up, and eating attitudes were assessed at pretreatment and follow-up. RESULTS: One third of the families did not complete treatment. However, children who completed the program lost a significant amount of weight and reported significant improvements in depression, anxiety, and eating attitudes that were maintained over time. DISCUSSION: A short-term, family-based behavioral intervention was successful in moderating weight gain for most children and had positive effects on children's mood and eating disorder symptoms. Future randomized, controlled trials of longer interventions are necessary to determine the success of this approach.

Adult↗

Use of benzodiazepines to control disruptive behavior in inpatients.

The author reviews prior evidence and presents data from his prospective study comparing intramuscular lorazepam with intramuscular haloperidol for control of extreme, agitated psychotic behavior; the data demonstrate that lorazepam is effective and has fewer side effects than haloperidol. The effective intramuscular dose is 1 to 2 mg in conjunction with ongoing neuroleptic antipsychotic treatment. Lorazepam does not prevent future disruptive behavior, and data do not support its use as an agent for maintenance therapy.

Aggression↗

Predation, aggression, and activity levels in food-deprived sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus and L. gibbosus): motivational interactions.

Three experiments investigated the effects of food deprivation on several behavioral categories in two species of sunfish. In Experiment 1, predatory behavior and general activity were observed under five levels of deprivation. For both species, predation measures increased in a similar negatively accelerating manner with increasing deprivation, while activity changed in a more complex fashion. Experiment 2 examined the effects of deprivation on activity in a novel environment and showed that the deprivation effects of Experiment 1 were masked by the response to the new setting. In Experiment 3, measures of aggression toward intruders of each species were recorded from resident fish of both species under three levels of food deprivation. Both species were more aggressive toward conspecifics, and bluegills were more aggressive overall. Aggression was significatly influenced by food deprivation, with the effects dependent on the species making up the pair. Theories of motivational summation, generalized drive, and activity-mediated aggression were unable to explain the differential effects of hunger on the three behavioral categories observed. A dynamic boundary-state model of behavior control was found to predict the motivational interactions observed between distinct behavioral control systems.

Aggression↗

Should patients have control over their own health care?: empirical evidence and research issues.

Available research indicates that purported patient insufficiencies in ability to process information and make rational and reliable decisions have likely been overestimated. Furthermore, data indicate that nonscientific factors often play a role in physician decision-making and that physicians may not value different health outcomes in the same way as patients. Though the data on patient cognitive functioning are limited because of heavy reliance on patient responses in hypothetical versus actual decision-making situations, these findings lend credence to arguments that patients should have increased control over their own health care. Research on the effects of interventions designed to enhance patient control indicates that: (a) patients generally respond positively to increased information, but few studies have evaluated the effects of information as a precursor to decision-making; (b) the few studies using simple behavioral control interventions have shown generally positive effects on a range of patient outcomes; and (c) studies of decisional control (with breast cancer patients) have had experimental confounds which prohibit conclusions regarding effectiveness. Areas in greatest need of research include: (a) further exploration of the utility of noninvasive behavioral control interventions in different settings; (b) measuring the impact of control manipulations on patient perception of control as well as patient control-related behaviors; (c) matching patient differences in desire for control to experimental conditions and to physician differences in receptiveness to patient control; and (d) clinical trials in which patients facing critical decisions in trade-off situations are actually given a choice.

Attitude to Health↗

The theory of planned behavior as a model of intentions for fighting among African American and Latino adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: To test the theory of planned behavior as a model for predicting and understanding behavioral intentions for fighting among inner-city adolescents and to determine whether its predictive power differs as a function of ethnicity (African American versus Latino). METHODS: Participants were 956 (511 females, 445 males) African American (n = 702) and Latino (n = 254) adolescents (mean age = 12.72 years; SD = 1.12) recruited from sixth, seventh, and eighth grade classes in public middle schools serving two inner-city communities in New Jersey who completed self-administered, confidential questionnaires. RESULTS: Consistent with the theory of planned behavior, hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control predicted intentions for fighting. Although the theory of planned behavior accounted for substantial variance in intentions to fight in both ethnic groups, it accounted for greater variance among Latinos than among African Americans. The strength of the relations of subjective norms and perceived behavioral control to intentions was similar in the two groups. but the relation of attitudes to intentions to fight was significantly stronger among Latinos. CONCLUSIONS: The findings strongly suggest that the theory of planned behavior provides a potentially useful conceptual framework for guiding the creation of interventions for African American and Latino adolescents that are designed to reduce violent behavior and the tragedies that such behavior leaves in its wake.

Adolescent↗

Steroid-neuropeptide interactions that control reproductive behaviors in an amphibian.

Investigations into the neuroendocrine regulation of reproductive behaviors in an amphibian (Taricha granulosa) reveal the same basic repertoire of chemical messengers as regulators of male behaviors in other vertebrates. These studies have identified seasonal neural interactions between gonadal steroids and neuropeptides that facilitate male courtship behavior. In addition, this species has served to elucidate how stress-induced suppression of courtship is mediated by corticosterone action through a neuronal membrane receptor and subsequent, rapid neurophysiological effects. These findings indicate that a principal mechanism by which steroids and neuropeptides control male reproductive behavior is the modulation of neural processing of specific sensory stimuli.

Androgens↗

The prediction and control of behavior revisited: a review of the matching law.

Experimental research conducted over the past 3 decades in relation to behavioral allocation and choice, collectively known as matching law research, is analyzed in this paper. The importance of the matching law for areas ranging from experimental to clinical psychology and psychiatry is discussed in relation to empirical findings that bear upon the validity and utility of the matching law for both the prediction and control of human behavior as well as for psychological and scientific inquiry in general.

Animals↗