Acquisition Of Preference Research Articles

Involvement of Hippocampal D1-Like Dopamine Receptors in the Inhibitory Effect of Cannabidiol on Acquisition and Expression of Methamphetamine-Induced Conditioned Place Preference.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotomimetic compound with strong potential to decrease the psychostimulant's rewarding effect with unclear receptors. Furthermore, as a part of the reward circuit, the hippocampus plays a crucial role in regulating the reward properties of drugs as determined by conditioned place preference (CPP). In the current research, CPP was used to evaluate the role of intra-CA1 microinjection of D1-like dopamine receptor antagonists in CBD's inhibitory effect on the acquisition and expression phases of methamphetamine (METH). Animals were treated by METH (1 mg/kg; sc) in a five-day schedule to induce CPP. To find out the impact of D1-like dopamine receptor antagonist, SCH23390, in the CA1 on the inhibitory influence of CBD on the acquisition of METH, the rats received intra-CA1 administration of SCH23390 (0.25, 1, and 4 µg/0.5 µl) following ICV treatment of CBD (10 µg/5 µl) over conditioning phase of METH. Furthermore, animals were given SCH23390 in the CA1 ensuing ICV microinjection of CBD (50 µg/5 µl) in the expression phase of METH to rule out the influence of SCH23390 on the suppressive effect of CBD on the expression of METH CPP. Intra-CA1 microinjection of SCH23390 abolished CBD's suppressive impact on both METH-induced CPP phases without any side effect on the locomotion. The current research disclosed that CBD inhibited the rewarding characteristic of METH via D1-like dopamine receptors in the CA1 region of the hippocampus.

Combined Effects of Cultural-Linguistic Proximity and Naturalization on Political Integration of First-Generation Immigrants

Although the under-participation of ethnic minorities in the electoral field is frequently observed, the nuances of their political engagement remain relatively unexplored by scholars. Particularly, little empirical analysis has attempted to identify the barriers faced by first-generation immigrants to adopt a party preference in their host country. Drawing on a unique survey data with a large sample of first-generation immigrants (N= 2,648) in a new migration country (Spain), this article explores the relevance of different set of factors (cultural proximity vs immigration status) in explaining the acquisition of a party preference among this minority population. We find that cultural proximity (as defined by the country of origin: Latin-American vs the rest) is a strong predictor for the acquisition of a party preference. Additionally, our results suggest that the predictive strength of this factor is reinforced through a naturalization regime that facilitates full political rights to culturally closer immigrants, thus reinforcing their a priori better conditions for political integration. Finally, the results also suggest that permissive (rather than restrictive) naturalization policies might work better to secure the political integration of migrant minorities.

Cannabidiol modulates the METH-induced conditioned place preference through D2-like dopamine receptors in the hippocampal CA1 region

The main problem with addiction is a relapse with a high rate in methamphetamine (METH) abusers. Using addictive drugs repetitively will cause the reward. METH reward is due to an increase in dopamine levels, and the endocannabinoid system (ECS) has a modulatory role in reward through CB1 receptors. On the other hand, the hippocampus plays an important role in learning and memory, so it is involved in the neuroplasticity caused by METH abuse. Cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown to reduce the effects of METH through different mechanisms such as increasing the ECS activity, regulating emotional memory in the ventral hippocampus through D2-like dopamine receptors, and decreasing the mesolimbic dopaminergic activity. The present study tried to find out the role of hippocampal CA1 D2-like dopamine receptors (D2R) in the effects of cannabidiol on the acquisition and expression of METH-induced conditioned place preference (METH-CPP) in rats by using microinjection of sulpiride as a D2R antagonist. For this purpose, different groups of animals received different doses of sulpiride (0.25, 1, and 4 μg/0.5 μL DMSO; CA1), once prior to the injection of CBD (10 μg/5 μL for acquisition and 50 μg/5 μL for expression; ICV) and once in the absence of CBD. Control groups were also considered. In brief, findings showed that cannabidiol decreases METH-induced CPP. Intra-CA1 administration of sulpiride reversed the decreasing effects of cannabidiol on METH-induced CPP in both acquisition and expression phases but more prominent in the expression phase. The results showed that sulpiride did not affect the METH-induced CPP in the absence of cannabidiol. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that cannabidiol decreased METH-induced CPP in part through interaction with hippocampal CA1 D2-dopamine receptors.

Clusterin overexpression as a potential neuroprotective response to the pathological effects of high fat dieting on the brain reward system

High-fat diets (HFDs) can lead to pathological changes in the brain underlying several behavioral disturbances (e.g., reward deficiency). To further increase our knowledge of these associations, we studied the sucrose reward and the brain expression of clusterin, a protein that is overexpressed after several kind of brain damaging conditions. C57BL/6J male mice were differentially fed on an HFD or standard chow for 41 days and underwent 11 sucrose place conditioning sessions followed by 4 extinction sessions to monitor the effects of HFD on sucrose reward by means of free choice tests. We quantified clusterin expression by immunochemistry in the nucleus accumbens, dorsal striatum and cingulate cortex. HFD tended to provoke a transient potentiation in the acquisition of sucrose-conditioned place preference, but this effect was followed by a much more consistent reduction in sucrose preference, which spontaneously disappeared after 31 days of an HFD with no need for extinction learning. The HFD mice showed higher clusterin expression in the nucleus accumbens but not in the other brain areas studied. The results confirm that HFDs strongly influence the rewarding properties of palatable foods and suggest a direct connection with neurotoxic alterations in the brain reward system tagged by clusterin overexpression.

Acquisition of innate odor preference depends on spontaneous and experiential activities during critical period.

Animals possess an inborn ability to recognize certain odors to avoid predators, seek food, and find mates. Innate odor preference is thought to be genetically hardwired. Here we report that acquisition of innate odor recognition requires spontaneous neural activity and is influenced by sensory experience during early postnatal development. Genetic silencing of mouse olfactory sensory neurons during the critical period has little impact on odor sensitivity, discrimination, and recognition later in life. However, it abolishes innate odor preference and alters the patterns of activation in brain centers. Exposure to innately recognized odors during the critical period abolishes the associated valence in adulthood in an odor-specific manner. The changes are associated with broadened projection of olfactory sensory neurons and expression of axon guidance molecules. Thus, a delicate balance of neural activity is needed during the critical period in establishing innate odor preference and convergent axon input is required to encode innate odor valence.

The role of mGlu4 receptors within the nucleus accumbens in acquisition and expression of morphine-induced conditioned place preference in male rats

BackgroundSeveral studies have shown that glutamate neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) is required for the development of morphine-induced conditional place preference (CPP). In addition, metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in NAc play important roles in the reward pathways. However, the precise role of mGluR4 in different steps of the morphine-induced CPP is less well known. In the present study the effect of bilateral intra-accumbal infusion of VU0155041, as a specific mGluR4 agonist on the acquisition and expression of morphine induced CPP in male Wistar rats was investigated. The animals were bilaterally implanted with guide cannulae above the NAc. In the first step of the study, the VU0155041 was administered at doses of 10, 30 and 50 μg/0.5 μL saline per side into the NAc during the 3 days of morphine (5 mg/kg) conditioning (acquisition) phase of morphine-induced CPP. In the second step of the study, the rats bilaterally received VU0155041 at the dose of 50 μg/0.5 μL, 5 min before the post-conditioning test in order to check the effect of VU0155041 on the expression of morphine-induced CPP.ResultsThe results showed that the intra-accumbal injection of VU0155041 inhibits the acquisition of morphine-induced CPP in a dose dependent manner, but had no effect on expression.ConclusionsThe data indicated that intra-NAc administration of VU0155041 dose dependently blocks the establishment of morphine-induced CPP and reduces the rewarding properties of morphine. These effects may be related to changes in glutamate activity in the NAC and/or learning dependent mechanism of glutamate neurotransmission in reward pathway(s).

Contrasting effects of the α7 nicotinic receptor antagonist methyllycaconitine in different rat models of heroin reinstatement.

Background:α7 Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are implicated in the reinstatement of drug-seeking, an important component of relapse. We showed previously that the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, methyllycaconitine, specifically attenuated morphine-primed reinstatement of conditioned place preference in rodents and this effect was mediated in the ventral hippocampus.Aims:The purpose of this study was to evaluate α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonism in reinstatement of the conditioned place preference for the more widely abused opioid, heroin, and to compare the effect of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor blockade on reinstatement of heroin-seeking and heroin self-administration in an intravenous self-administration model of addictive behaviour.Methods:Rats were trained to acquire heroin conditioned place preference or heroin self-administration; both followed by extinction of responding. Methyllycaconitine or saline was given prior to reinstatement of drug-primed conditioned place preference, or drug-prime plus cue-induced reinstatement of intravenous self-administration, using two protocols: without delivery of heroin in response to lever pressing to model heroin-seeking, or with heroin self-administration, using fixed and progressive ratio reward schedules, to model relapse.Results:Methyllycaconitine had no effect on acquisition of heroin conditioned place preference or lever-pressing for food rewards. Methyllycaconitine blocked reinstatement of heroin-primed conditioned place preference. Methyllycaconitine did not prevent drug-prime plus cue-induced reinstatement of heroin-seeking, reinstatement of heroin self-administration, or diminish the reinforcing effect of heroin.Conclusions:The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, methyllycaconitine, prevented reinstatement of the opioid conditioned place preference, consistent with a role for α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the retrieval of associative memories of drug liking. The lack of effect of methyllycaconitine in heroin-dependent rats in two intravenous self-administration models suggests that α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors do not play a role in later stages of heroin abuse.

The effect of the mGlu8 receptor agonist, (S)-3,4-DCPG on acquisition and expression of morphine-induced conditioned place preference in male rats

BackgroundThe nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays a principal role in drug reward. It has been reported that metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu receptors) play a key role in the rewarding pathway(s). Previous studies have shown the vast allocation of the different types of mGlu receptors, including mGlu8 receptors, in regions that are associated with opioid rewards, such as the NAc. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of mGlu8 receptors within the NAc in the acquisition and expression phases of morphine induced conditioned place preference (CPP). Adult male Wistar rats were bilaterally implanted by two cannulas' in the NAc and were evaluated in a CPP paradigm. Selective mGlu8 receptor allosteric agonist (S-3,4-DCPG) was administered at doses of 0.03, 0.3, and 3 μg/0.5 μL saline per side into the NAc on both sides during the 3 days of morphine (5 mg/kg) conditioning (acquisition) phase, or before place preference test, or post-conditioning (expression) phase of morphine-induced CPP.ResultsThe results revealed that intra-accumbal administration of S-3,4-DCPG (0.3 and 3 μg) markedly decreased the acquisition in a dose-dependent manner but had no effect on expression of morphine-induced CPP.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that activation of mGlu8 receptors in the NAc dose-dependently blocks the establishment of morphine-induced CPP and reduces the rewarding properties of morphine which may be related to the glutamate activity into the NAc and in reward pathway(s). These data suggest that mGlu8 receptor may be involved in conditioned morphine reward.

Cannabidiol efficiently suppressed the acquisition and expression of methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference in the rat

Methamphetamine (MET) is one of the most prevalently abused psychostimulants in the world with drastic repercussions. Several studies emphasized the inhibitory effect of Cannabidiol (CBD) on the reward properties of psychostimulants. The current investigation utilized conditioned place preference (CPP) to assay CBD's impact on MET's reward characteristic, including acquisition and expression phases of MET-induced CPP. Like our prior researches, animals received MET (1 mg/kg; sc) in a five-day schedule to induce CPP. The rats were given intracerebroventricular (ICV) microinjection of CBD (2, 10, and 50 μg/5 μL DMSO) during the 5-day conditioning phase in the CPP paradigm to highlight the CBD's impact on the development (acquisition) of MET-induced place preference. Furthermore, animals were treated with CBD (2, 10 and 50 μg/5 μL) in the lateral ventricle on the post-conditioning day to elucidate the effect of ICV injection of CBD on the expression of MET-induced CPP. It was revealed that CBD (10 and 50 μg/5 μL) microinjection profoundly inhibited both phases of MET-induced CPP without any side effect on the locomotion in animals were treated by MET injection over conditioning phase. Also, CBD's inhibitory impact was more potent in the acquisition phase than the expression phase of MET-induced CPP. Ultimately, the current research reported that CBD could be a beneficial compound to treat drug abuse however more investigations are needed.

Quantity-quality trade-off in the acquisition of token preference by capuchin monkeys (Sapajus spp.).

Money represents a cornerstone of human modern economies and how money emerged as a medium of exchange is a crucial question for social sciences. Although non-human primates have not developed monetary systems, they can estimate, combine and exchange tokens. Here, we evaluated quantity-quality trade-offs in token choices in tufted capuchin monkeys as a first step in the investigation of the generalizability of tokens as reinforcers, which is a potentially relevant factor underlying the emergence of money in humans. We measured capuchins' exchange preferences when they were repeatedly provided with 10 units of three token types yielding food combinations varying in quantity and quality. Overall, capuchins maximized their quantitative payoff, preferring tokens associated with a higher food amount, rather than showing violations of rationality. However, some individuals did not maximize their qualitative payoff, possibly because of conditional valuation effects or owing to the choice overload phenomenon, according to which too many options reduce the accuracy of choice. Our study supports the importance of comparative research to finely analyse the multiple components shaping the economic behaviours of other species, possibly to achieve a more comprehensive, evolutionary- and ecologically based understanding of human economic behaviour. This article is part of the theme issue 'Existence and prevalence of economic behaviours among non-human primates'.

Impaired Acquisition of Nicotine-Induced Conditioned Place Preference in Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 3 Null Mice.

Nicotine causes psychological dependence through its interactions with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain. We previously demonstrated that fatty acid-binding protein 3 (FABP3) colocalizes with dopamine D2 receptors (D2Rs) in the dorsal striatum, and FABP3 deficiency leads to impaired D2R function. Moreover, D2R null mice do not exhibit increased nicotine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) following chronic nicotine administration. To investigate the role of FABP3 in nicotine-induced CPP, FABP3 knockout (FABP3-/-) mice were evaluated using a CPP apparatus following consecutive nicotine administration (0.5mg/kg) for 14days. Importantly, nicotine-induced CPP was suppressed in the conditioning, withdrawal, and relapse phases in FABP3-/- mice. To resolve the mechanisms underlying impaired nicotine-induced CPP in these mice, we assessed c-Fos expression and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling in both dopamine D1 receptor (D1R)- and D2R-positive neurons in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Notably, 64% of dopamine receptor-positive neurons in the mouse NAc expressed both D1R and D2R. Impaired nicotine-induced CPP was correlated with lack of responsiveness of both CaMKII and ERK phosphorylation. The number of D2R-positive neurons was increased in FABP3-/- mice, while the number of D1R-positive neurons and the responsiveness of c-Fos expression to nicotine were decreased. The aberrant c-Fos expression was closely correlated with CaMKII but not ERK phosphorylation levels in the NAc of FABP3-/- mice. Taken together, these results indicate that impaired D2R signaling due to lack of FABP3 may affect D1R and c-Fos signaling and underlie nicotine-induced CPP behaviors.

Website information retrieval of web database based on symmetric encryption algorithm

With the diversification of information development, data security is becoming more and more important. Therefore, the research on website information retrieval of Web database based on symmetric encryption algorithm is studied. From the security performance of Website information retrieval of Web database, the improved chaotic map encryption algorithm is used to enhance the hyper chaos of the key. It is undeniable that digital signature can improve the security of Web database information authentication. Based on this; the Web information retrieval method based on mobile Agent is adopted. This method is a modular structure of multi-agents that is divided and cooperated by five types of Agents. Through the division and cooperation of the user interaction Agent, retrieval management Agent, evaluation screening Agent, preference acquisition Agent, and the network spider Agent, the user’s preference is selected. Finally, the effective retrieval of Web information is achieved. The experimental results show that this kind of retrieval method can comprehensively and effectively retrieve the information of various commodities in website of the logistics company, and the retrieval performance is better.

Situational Perception Information Fusion Technology of Internet of Things for Smart Library

With the rapid development of microelectronic technology and communication technology, the traditional computer-based computing model is gradually transformed into a human-centered universal computing model. This led to the idea of the Internet of things, which allows people to access information about their surroundings on demand through different terminals. Library is an indispensable part of human life. How to provide a more comfortable library environment to better meet people's family requirements is a place where the Internet of things plays its role. The purpose of this paper is to solve the difference between the data fusion of library environment and the data fusion of other environments by the method of data fusion oriented to library, objectively reflect the change of library environment, and consider the influence of people in the environment, which also puts forward some new problems for the data fusion. In this paper, the process of data fusion middleware from obtaining data to informing the upper module of the changed family environment after deploying the smart library system in a library includes data collection and processing, how to judge whether events are triggered, how the system reacts, and the acquisition and update of user preferences. In the end, this paper presents a general technical framework of situational awareness for smart library system. This paper presents an effective data fusion model and algorithm for library.

Республика Беларусь: Эволюция политики балансирования между Союзным государством Белоруссии и России и Евразийским экономическим союзом

The article is devoted to comparing the policies of the Belarusian leadership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Union State of Belarus and Russia. The author notes that at present the official Minsk considers the acquisition of integration preferences and subsidies and obtaining privileged access to the resources and markets of Russia and Kazakhstan as its main goal in economic integration projects in the post-Soviet space. At the same time, the Belarusian leadership is striving to slow down the process of connecting the economies of the countries participating in Eurasian integration. It is shown that since 2010 the Republic of Belarus has effectively used its participation in two integration projects that complement each other in the field of economic integration. Periodically, Minsk used the EAEU as an additional platform for dialogue with Moscow to receive Russian subsidies. At the same time, using the disagreements between the EAEU member states, President of the Republic of Belarus A. Lukashenko has repeatedly tried to resolve issues arising in the framework of Eurasian integration in his favor. The creation of temporary coalitions by Belarus with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia helped to block Russia’s proposal to introduce a single EAEU currency in 2014-2015. Currently, official Minsk expects to keep the EAEU in the format of a sponsor of the Belarusian economy, but is still not ready to deepen integration within the framework of the Eurasian integration project. The Belarusian leadership expects that the policy of balancing between the EAEU and the Union State will allow the republic to continue to receive and increase resource and financial support from the Russian Federation.

Cocaine-Dependent Acquisition of Locomotor Sensitization and Conditioned Place Preference Requires D1 Dopaminergic Signaling through a Cyclic AMP, NCS-Rapgef2, ERK, and Egr-1/Zif268 Pathway.

Elucidation of the mechanism of dopamine signaling to ERK that underlies plasticity in dopamine D1 receptor-expressing neurons leading to acquired cocaine preference is incomplete. NCS-Rapgef2 is a novel cAMP effector, expressed in neuronal and endocrine cells in adult mammals, that is required for D1 dopamine receptor-dependent ERK phosphorylation in mouse brain. In this report, we studied the effects of abrogating NCS-Rapgef2 expression on cAMP-dependent ERK→Egr-1/Zif268 signaling in cultured neuroendocrine cells; in D1 medium spiny neurons of NAc slices; and in either male or female mouse brain in a region-specific manner. NCS-Rapgef2 gene deletion in the NAc in adult mice, using adeno-associated virus-mediated expression of cre recombinase, eliminated cocaine-induced ERK phosphorylation and Egr-1/Zif268 upregulation in D1-medium spiny neurons and cocaine-induced behaviors, including locomotor sensitization and conditioned place preference. Abrogation of NCS-Rapgef2 gene expression in mPFC and BLA, by crossing mice bearing a floxed Rapgef2 allele with a cre mouse line driven by calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase IIα promoter also eliminated cocaine-induced phospho-ERK activation and Egr-1/Zif268 induction, but without effect on the cocaine-induced behaviors. Our results indicate that NCS-Rapgef2 signaling to ERK in dopamine D1 receptor-expressing neurons in the NAc, but not in corticolimbic areas, contributes to cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization and conditioned place preference. Ablation of cocaine-dependent ERK activation by elimination of NCS-Rapgef2 occurred with no effect on phosphorylation of CREB in D1 dopaminoceptive neurons of NAc. This study reveals a new cAMP-dependent signaling pathway for cocaine-induced behavioral adaptations, mediated through NCS-Rapgef2/phospho-ERK activation, independently of PKA/CREB signaling.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT ERK phosphorylation in dopamine D1 receptor-expressing neurons exerts a pivotal role in psychostimulant-induced neuronal gene regulation and behavioral adaptation, including locomotor sensitization and drug preference in rodents. In this study, we examined the role of dopamine signaling through the D1 receptor via a novel pathway initiated through the cAMP-activated guanine nucleotide exchange factor NCS-Rapgef2 in mice. NCS-Rapgef2 in the NAc is required for activation of ERK and Egr-1/Zif268 in D1 dopaminoceptive neurons after acute cocaine administration, and subsequent enhanced locomotor response and drug seeking behavior after repeated cocaine administration. This novel component in dopamine signaling provides a potential new target for intervention in psychostimulant-shaped behaviors, and new understanding of how D1-medium spiny neurons encode the experience of psychomotor stimulant exposure.

Effects of caffeine on ethanol-elicited place preference, place aversion and ERK phosphorylation in CD-1 mice.

Epidemiological studies indicate a rise in the combined consumption of caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, which can lead to increased risk of alcoholic-beverage overconsumption. However, the effects of the combination of caffeine and ethanol in animal models related to aspects of drug addiction are still underexplored. To characterize the pharmacological interaction between caffeine and ethanol and establish if caffeine can affect the ability of ethanol (2 g/kg) to elicit conditioned place preference and conditioned place aversion, we administered caffeine (3 or 15 mg/kg) to male CD-1 mice before saline or ethanol. Moreover, we determined if these doses of caffeine could affect ethanol (2 g/kg) elicited extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation in brain areas, nucleus accumbens, bed nucleus of stria terminalis, central nucleus of the amygdala, and basolateral amygdala, previously associated with this type of associative learning. In the place-conditioning paradigm, caffeine did not have an effect on its own, whereas ethanol elicited significant conditioned-place preference and conditioned-place aversion. Caffeine (15 mg/kg) significantly prevented the acquisition of ethanol-elicited conditioned-place preference and, at both doses, also prevented the acquisition of ethanol-elicited conditioned-place aversion. Moreover, both doses of caffeine also prevented ethanol-elicited extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation expression in all brain areas examined. The present data indicate a functional antagonistic action of caffeine and ethanol on associative learning and extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation after an acute interaction. These results could provide exciting grounds for further studies, also in a translational perspective, of their pharmacological interaction modulating other processes involved in drug consumption and addiction.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of a lipopeptide-based methamphetamine vaccine

We describe an application of carrier protein-free strategy in constructing a fully synthetic methamphetamine (METH) vaccine that contains three components: Toll-like receptor 2 ligand, Th2 epitope, and METH hapten. The immunological evaluation in mice revealed high titers of METH-specific antibodies induced by the construct and the activation of humoral immunity that would be beneficial for neutralization and clearance of the METH molecule. Behavioral experiments indicated that the synthetic vaccine attenuated the acquisition of METH-induced conditioned place preference and inhibited the initiation and expression of METH-induced locomotor sensitization. These results demonstrate that the lipopeptide-based vaccine has invoked an immune response and showed the potential of preventing the rewarding and psychoactive effects of METH.

Twenty-five years later: A systematic review of the methodological changes in the Trier Social Stress Test and its confounding variables

The neuro-physiological response to stress has far-reaching implications for learning and memory processes. Here, we examined whether and how the stress-induced release of cortisol, following the socially-evaluated cold pressor test, influenced the acquisition of preferences in an evaluative conditioning (EC) procedure. We found that when the stressor preceded the evaluation phase, cortisol responders showed decreased evaluative conditioning effects. By contrast, impairing effects of a stressor-induced cortisol release before encoding were not found. Moreover, explicit memory was not found to be affected by the stressor or its timing. Implications of the timing-dependent effects of stress-induced cortisol release on EC and the relation between stress and associative memory are discussed.

Quantitative Comparison of Fundus Images by 2 Ultra-Widefield Fundus Cameras

To compare the relative number of retinal pixels and retinal area imaged using the Optos P200DTx (Optos PLC) and Zeiss Clarus 500 (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG) ultra-widefield (UWF) fundus cameras. Single-center retrospective cross-sectional analysis. Seventy-eight eyes of 46 patients. Eyes were imaged with Optos P200DTx, single-capture, and Zeiss Clarus 500, 2 capture montages when possible, UWF fundus cameras. Relative number of pixels encompassing all foveal-centered retinal quadrants were measured. Retinal area was measured with Zeiss Clarus 500 images that were registered to the Optos P200DTx images. Patients and technicians were asked for preferences between the machines. Imaging session times were recorded. Relative number of retinal pixels and retina area captured by each fundus camera. Optos P200DTx consistently captured more relative pixels compared with Zeiss Clarus 500: 510.4 versus 355.6 (P < 0.001) in total with a similarly statistically significant trend in all 4 quadrants (P < 0.001 for each). For area calculation, 70 of the 78 images achieved successful registration. Optos captured a larger total retinal area: 765.6 versus 566.5 mm2 (P < 0.001) with a similarly statistically significant trend in all 4 quadrants. In the subset of 52 of 70 registered and montaged Zeiss Clarus 500 images, similar results were found. For peripheral pathologic features, Optos P200DTx captured unique findings in 28 images, and Zeiss Clarus 500 captured unique findings 1 image (P < 0.001). Among the 48 imaging sessions in which technicians preferred Optos P200DTx for 28 sessions (58%) and Zeiss Clarus 500 for 20 (42%; P= 0.15). Among patients who responded with a preference, 24 preferred Optos P200DTx and 20 preferred Zeiss Clarus 500 (P = 0.52). Average imaging session time was 4.6 minutes (standard deviation, 3.0 minutes) for Optos P200DTx and 5.2 minutes (standard deviation, 3.0 minutes) for Zeiss Clarus 500 (P= 0.17). In the current study, the Optos P200DTx captured statistically significantly more retinal area in all 4 quadrants compared with the Zeiss Clarus 500. No statistically significant difference was found in patient or technician preference or image acquisition time between devices.

Sensory neurons expressing the atypical olfactory receptor guanylyl cyclase D are required for the acquisition of odor preferences by mice in diverse social contexts

Animals use social communication to learn important information from conspecifics that can guide appropriate behavioral choices. For example, during the social transmission of food preference (STFP), conspecific semiochemicals detected by mouse olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) expressing the atypical olfactory receptor guanylyl cyclase D (GC-D+ OSNs) promote the acquisition of food preferences in the recipient animal, mitigating the risk of ingesting food contaminated with toxins or pathogens. However, it is unclear if GC-D+ OSNs mediate preference learning outside this specific context. Here, we report that GC-D+ OSNs are required for the acquisition of odor preferences by both adult and juvenile mice, and that GC-DD-dependent preference could be formed for conditionally aversive odors. We used a two-choice olfactory behavioral test to assess odor preferences in adult Gucy2d +/+, +/- and -/- mice that encountered novel odors together with GC-D+ OSN stimuli (guanylin family peptides), during social investigation of a live conspecific, or during suckling as pups. Gucy2d +/+ and +/- mice (which express functional GC-D), but not Gucy2d -/- littermates, successfully acquire a preference for the demonstrated odor in any of these behavioral paradigms. Mice could even acquire a GC-D-dependent preference for odors to which they had recently formed a conditioned aversion. Together, these results demonstrate that GC-D+ OSNs mediate the acquisition of socially-transmitted odor preferences in different social and experiential contexts and at different life stages.