Attenuated incubation of ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion in a model of dependence.

Rationale: Preclinical studies report attenuated ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion (CTA) following chronic ethanol exposure, suggesting that tolerance develops to the aversive properties of ethanol. However, these studies are confounded by pre-exposure to the unconditioned stimulus (US; ethanol), which is well known to hinder conditioning.

Objectives: This study was designed to determine whether chronic ethanol exposure produces tolerance to the aversive properties of ethanol in the absence of a US pre-exposure confound.

A translational rodent model of individual differences in sensitivity to the aversive properties of ethanol.

Background: A strong relationship exists between individual sensitivity to the aversive properties of ethanol and risk for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Despite this, our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the subjective response to ethanol is limited. A major contributor to this lack of knowledge is the absence of preclinical models that enable exploration of this individual variability such as is possible in studies of humans.

Attenuated incubation of ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion in a model of dependence.

Rationale: Preclinical studies report attenuated ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion (CTA) following chronic ethanol exposure, suggesting that tolerance develops to the aversive properties of ethanol. However, these studies are confounded by pre-exposure to the unconditioned stimulus (US; ethanol), which is well known to hinder conditioning.

Objectives: This study was designed to determine whether chronic ethanol exposure produces tolerance to the aversive properties of ethanol in the absence of a US pre-exposure confound.

A translational rodent model of individual differences in sensitivity to the aversive properties of ethanol.

Background: A strong relationship exists between individual sensitivity to the aversive properties of ethanol and risk for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Despite this, our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying subjective response to ethanol is relatively poor. A major contributor to this is the absence of preclinical models that enable exploration of this individual variability similar to studies performed in humans.

Perinatal intermittent hypoxia increases early susceptibility to ANG II-induced hypertension in adult male but not in female Sprague-Dawley rats.

Prenatal, perinatal, and adulthood exposure to chronic intermittent hypoxia (IH) increases blood pressure in rodents. Males exposed to chronic IH have higher blood pressure versus females. However, it is unknown if this same-sex difference exists with acute perinatal IH.

Hypertensive female Sprague-Dawley rats require an intact nitric oxide synthase system for compensatory increases in renal regulatory T cells.

We have previously shown that hypertensive female rats have more regulatory T cells (Tregs), which contribute more to blood pressure (BP) control in female versus male rats. Based on known protective properties of Tregs, the goal of the present study was to investigate the mechanisms by which female rats maintain Tregs. The present study was designed to ) compare the impact of three hypertension models on the percentage of renal Tregs and ) test the hypothesis that nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition prevents increases in renal Tregs and exacerbates renal damage in female Sprague-Dawley rats.

Tipping the scales: Are females more at risk for obesity- and high-fat diet-induced hypertension and vascular dysfunction?

Obesity is a common metabolic disorder that has become a widespread epidemic in several countries. Sex and gender disparities in the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) have been well documented with premenopausal women having a lower incidence of CVD than age-matched men. However, women are more likely than men to suffer from obesity, which can predispose them to a greater risk of CVD.

Sex Differences in Hypertension: Where We Have Been and Where We Are Going.

While it has been known since the 1940s that men have greater increases in blood pressure (BP) compared with women, there have been intense efforts more recently to increase awareness that women are also at risk for developing hypertension and that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading causes of death among both men and women in the United States. With the release of the 2017 Hypertension Clinical Guidelines, 46% of adults in the United States are now classified as hypertensive, and hypertension is the primary modifiable risk factor for the development of CVD. This increase in the prevalence of hypertension is reflected in an increase in prevalence among both men and women across all demographics, although there were greater increases in the prevalence of hypertension among men compared with women.

Determinants of adherence to nutrition-related cancer prevention guidelines among African American breast cancer survivors.

Background: Mortality rate for breast cancer is higher among African American (AA) women than for women of other racial/ethnic groups. Obesity, also higher among AA women, may increase the risk of breast cancer development and recurrence. Lifestyle factors such as healthy nutrition can reduce the rate of obesity and breast cancer.