Indian journal of physiology and pharmacology
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Indian J. Physiol. Pharmacol. · Oct 1999
Increased sweet taste preference following the lesion of basolateral nucleus of amygdala (BLA) in rat.
A study of gustatory preference was carried out in Wistar strain albino rats by electrolytically lesioning the basolateral nucleus of amygdala. The intake of sweet tasting saccharin (Sn-0.1% soln w/v), NaCl solutions (1% Soln w/v) and tap water, were tested in single bottle, 2 bottle choice and 3 bottle choice situations. The consumption of fluids both before and after the stereotaxic surgery was recorded and statistically analysed. ⋯ The intake, in the present study was more in those animals provided with Sn solution. When choice was given, the rats shifted their preference from water to the Sn following the lesion. Thus this study confirms that BLA is involved in the preference for sweet tasting solution over the NaCl or plain water.
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Indian J. Physiol. Pharmacol. · Jul 1999
Somatostatin (SRIF) like immunoreactivity in median eminence (ME) of female rat brain: evidence of compartmentalization in ME.
Somatostatin (SRIF) immunoreactivity was observed in rostrocaudal extent (Bregma levels-1.8 mm to -3.8 mm) of the median eminence (ME) in female rat brain using Avidin-Biotin Complex (ABC) method (Hsu et al, 1981). SRIF immunoreactivity (IR) was observed in entire-rostrocaudal extent of both internal (IZ) and external zone (EZ) of ME. Image analysis of SRIF stained sections showed that in rostral ME (Bregma -1.8 to -2.3 mm) dense immunoreactive nerve terminals were observed in EZ. ⋯ In caudal ME (Bregma -3.3 mm to -3.8 mm) nerve terminals in lateral EZ and median IZ and EZ showed dense reactivity in nerve terminals. These results led us to hypothesize that each region-lateral IZ and EZ and medial IZ and EZ are independent functional units in ME. Six functionally independent compartments could be identified-Compartment I and III of IZ and IV in EZ (Lateral margins in ME), Compartment V (IZ) and Compartment VI (medial EZ).
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Indian J. Physiol. Pharmacol. · Apr 1999
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialStress due to exams in medical students--role of yoga.
A student under optimal stress does bring out his or her best, However extremes of stress can result in stress induced disorders and deteriorating performance. Can yoga be of benefit in stress induced effects in medical students? The present study was conducted in first MBBS students (n = 50) to determine the benefit if any of yogic practices on anxiety status during routine activities and prior to examination. Feedback scores were assessed to determine how the students had benefited from the practices. ⋯ These results point to the beneficial role of yoga in not only causing reduction in basal anxiety level but also attenuating the increase in anxiety score in stressful state such as exams. The results of the exam indicated a statistically significant reduction in number of failures in yoga group as compared to the control group. The improvement in various parameters such as better sense of well being, feeling of relaxation, improved concentration, self confidence, improved efficiency, good interpersonal relationship, increased attentiveness, lowered irritability levels, and an optimistic outlook in life were some of the beneficial effects enjoyed by the yoga group indicated by feedback score.
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Tissue injury and/or infection produce significant alterations in intracellular calcium ion regulation. These alterations in cellular calcium has recently been studied following both short term and long term septic model which uses two types of gram-negative bacteria frequently encountered human abdominal sepsis. ⋯ Calcium-channel blockers attenuate the increased effects of calcium flux. Further anti-cytokines may be useful to prevent septic injury in tissues.