Neurophysiology of male sexual arousal-Behavioral perspective.

In the presented review, we analyzed the physiology of male sexual arousal and its relation to the motivational aspects of this behavior. We highlighted the distinction between these processes based on observable physiological and behavioral parameters. Thus, we proposed the experimentally applicable differentiation between sexual arousal (SA) and sexual motivation (SM).

Impact of Combination Antiretroviral Treatment on Liver Metabolic Health in HIV-Infected Persons.

In the last three decades, there has been a considerable improvement in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) therapy. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is no longer a common cause of death for people living with HIV (PLWH) in developed countries, and co-infections with hepatitis viruses can be effectively managed. However, metabolic syndrome and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) are emerging threats these days, especially as the HIV-positive population gets older.

Review on Biocompatibility and Prospect Biomedical Applications of Novel Functional Metallic Glasses.

The continuous development of novel materials for biomedical applications is resulting in an increasingly better prognosis for patients. The application of more advanced materials relates to fewer complications and a desirable higher percentage of successful treatments. New, innovative materials being considered for biomedical applications are metallic alloys with an amorphous internal structure called metallic glasses.

A Protocol for the Non-invasive Method of Ultrasound Separation During the Sociosexual Vocal-Non-contact Model in Rats.

Ultrasonic vocalization (USV) is one of the measurable behavioral parameters of sociosexual interactions in rats. To precisely and accurately describe the neurobehavioral properties of USV and the potentially related specific emotional responsiveness of animals, we need to know which animals vocalize and what is their exact behavioral and physiological response. To this end, we modified the non-contact cage [non-contact erection model (NCE)] by adding a modification [vocalization-non-contact erection (VOC-NCE)] that makes it possible to assign emitted ultrasonic signals to a particular animal.

Gender differences in short- vs. long-term impact of maternal depression following pre-gestational chronic mild stress.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) with Peripartum Onset was classified in 2013 by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DMS-5) and approved in 2019 by the World Health Organization (WHO). These diagnostic revisions call for the development of new animal models of maternal depression, emphasizing the pregnancy period. We have recently described a novel rat model of maternal MDD with a Peripartum Onset.

Production, Mechanical Properties and Biomedical Characterization of ZrTi-Based Bulk Metallic Glasses in Comparison with 316L Stainless Steel and Ti6Al4V Alloy.

Microstructure, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility were studied for rapidly cooled 3 mm rods of ZrTiCuNiBe, ZrTiCuNiBe, and ZrTiCuNiSiBe (at.%) alloys, as well as for the reference 316L stainless steel and Ti-based Ti6Al4V alloy. Microstructure investigations confirm that Zr-based bulk metallic samples exhibit a glassy structure with minor fractions of crystalline phases.

In Vitro Fracture Resistance of Endodontically Treated Premolar Teeth Restored with Prefabricated and Custom-Made Fibre-Reinforced Composite Posts.

(1) Background: The study aimed to compare and analyse the differences between the features of prefabricated fibre-reinforced composite (FRC) posts and custom-made FRC posts in the form of a tape and confirm the necessity of using FRC posts in teeth treated endodontically in comparison to direct reconstruction with a composite material. (2) Methods: Sixty premolars after endodontic treatment were used. The teeth were divided into four groups (n-15).

Anticipatory 50-kHz Precontact Ultrasonic Vocalizations and Sexual Motivation: Characteristic Pattern of Ultrasound Subtypes in an Individual Analyzed Profile.

We verified the hypothesis of the existence of forms of individual-specific differences in the emission of anticipatory precontact vocalization (PVs) indicating individualization related to sexual experience and motivation in male rats. Long-Evans males were individually placed in a chamber and 50-kHz ultrasounds were recorded during 5-min periods. In experiment 1, PVs were recorded before the introduction of a female in four consecutive sessions during the acquisition of sexual experience.

The three-point bending test of fiber-reinforced composite root canal posts.

Background: The primary reason for using a post is to retain the core with the objective to restore the missing coronal tooth structure. To achieve optimum results, the materials that are used to restore endodontically treated teeth should have physical and mechanical properties that are similar to that of dentin.

Objectives: To characterize the strength parameters of fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) posts with the application of a three-point test.

The Sexual Motivation of Male Rats as a Tool in Animal Models of Human Health Disorders.

Normal or dysfunctional sexual behavior seems to be an important indicator of health or disease. Many health disorders in male patients affect sexual activity by directly causing erectile dysfunction, affecting sexual motivation, or both. Clinical evidence indicates that many diseases strongly disrupt sexual motivation and sexual performance in patients with depression, addiction, diabetes mellitus and other metabolic disturbances with obesity and diet-related factors, kidney and liver failure, circadian rhythm disorders, sleep disturbances including obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, developmental and hormonal disorders, brain damages, cardiovascular diseases, and peripheral neuropathies.

Distinct classes of low frequency ultrasonic vocalizations in rats during sexual interactions relate to different emotional states.

This study examined low-frequency ultrasonic vocalizations (lUSVs) in rats during two types of sexual interactions; postejaculatory interval (PEI) and barrier - noncontact (NC) test. We report distinct classes of lUSVs that can be assigned to different emotional states; relaxation vs. frustration.

A rat model to study maternal depression during pregnancy and postpartum periods, its comorbidity with cardiovascular diseases and neurodevelopmental impact in the offspring.

This study aimed to develop an animal model of human depression during pregnancy and lactation to examine the effect of maternal, perinatal depression on offspring development. Maternal depression during pregnancy affects up to 20% of women and is a risk factor for both the developmental and long-term health issues. It is often comorbid with the cardiovascular disease (CVD) that affects the uteroplacental circulation and impacts offspring development.

Common Genetic Variants Link the Abnormalities in the Gut-Brain Axis in Prematurity and Autism.

This review considers a link between prematurity and autism by comparing symptoms, physiological abnormalities, and behavior. It focuses on the bidirectional signaling between the microbiota and the brain, here defined as the microbiota-gut-vagus-heart-brain (MGVHB) axis and its systemic disruption accompanying altered neurodevelopment. Data derived from clinical and animal studies document increased prevalence of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms in both premature and autistic children and suggest an incomplete maturation of the gut-blood barrier resulting in a "leaky gut," dysbiosis, abnormalities in vagal regulation of the heart, altered development of specific brain regions, and behavior.

Modulation of 22-khz postejaculatory vocalizations by conditioning to new place: Evidence for expression of a positive emotional state.

It has been assumed that the 22-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) are emitted by adult rats as a result of a negative emotional state. However, emission of the 22-kHz vocalizations by male rats has been also observed following ejaculation, which has a high rewarding value as shown by a conditioned place preference test. These observations suggest that 22-kHz USVs may also occur in response to a positive emotional state.

Sexual performance and precontact 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations in WAG/Rij rats: effects of opioid receptor treatment.

WAG/Rij rats are genetically selected animals that model absence epilepsy in rats. Ultrasonic vocalizations and sexual behavior - both ethologically relevant markers of reward system functioning - are poorly described in this strain. The aim of our experiment was to investigate reward-dependent precontact 50-kHz vocalizations (PVs) and copulatory behavior as well as the effects of opioid receptor treatment on such behaviors in sexually experienced WAG/Rij males and rats from two control strains: Sprague-Dawley and Crl: Han Wistar.

Blockade of androgen receptor in the medial amygdala inhibits noncontact erections in male rats.

Our previous work demonstrated that androgens in the medial amygdala (MeA) of castrated male rats maintained noncontact erections (NCEs), which occur during exposure to an inaccessible receptive female, for one week after implantation. The present experiments investigated the effects of implantation into the MeA of either flutamide (F), a blocker of androgen receptors, or of 1,4,6-androstatrien-3,17-dione (ATD), which blocks aromatization of testosterone. One day after implantation of F, fewer males displayed NCEs, and had longer latencies to the first NCE and fewer NCEs, and spent less total time in genital grooming, compared to the control group.

D1 receptors involved in the acquisition of sexual experience in male rats.

As we found previously, changes in ultrasonic vocalizations in the 50-kHz band emitted before a female is introduced into a copulatory chamber (precontact vocalizations-PVs) and shortening of ejaculation latency (EL) in subsequent copulatory sessions are correlated and reflected acquisition of sexual experience in male rats. In the present experiments, we investigate the role of the D1 receptor in this phenomenon. First, the effects of a D1 antagonist and D1 agonists injected subcutaneously during the first sexual contacts were analyzed.

Androgen implants in medial amygdala briefly maintain noncontact erection in castrated male rats.

Castration of male rats causes a rapid loss of their normal erectile response to inaccessible estrous females. Previous studies had demonstrated that these noncontact erections (NCEs), a putative sign of sexual arousal, could be restored by systemic treatment with testosterone (T) or dihydrotestosterone (DHT), but not estradiol (E). We examined whether androgen delivered to the medial amygdala (MeA) of castrated rats would maintain NCE.

Effects of D(1) receptor agonist SKF 38393 on male rat sexual behavior and postcopulatory departure in the goal compartment-runway paradigm.

Male rats were tested in an apparatus in which the goal compartment of the runway was connected with the start compartment by a one-way door. In this apparatus, the male spontaneously left the goal compartment containing the estrous female after a mount bout (the cluster of one or more copulatory events) and a new run started. This effect (the postcopulatory departure) seems to be due to the competition between the incentive value of the stimulus female and the runway.