CART promoter CRE site binds phosphorylated CREB.

It has been shown previously that: CART (cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript) mRNA is tightly regulated in brain; protein kinase A (PKA) is involved in CART expression in GH3 cells; and a cyclic AMP-responsive element (CRE) site is present in the proximal promoter region of the CART gene. Thus, the goal of this study was to test if CRE binding protein (CREB) can bind to the consensus CRE site and if phosphorylation of CREB occurs in GH3 cells under conditions of enhanced CART gene expression. Electromobility shift assays showed that a 27-bp oligonucleotide containing the CART CRE site was indeed bound by nuclear factors.

Apoptosis-mediated enhancement of DNA-raised immune responses by mutant caspases.

Apoptotic bodies can be used to target delivery of DNA-expressed immunogens into professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Here we show that antigen-laden apoptotic bodies created by vectors co-expressing influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) or nucleoprotein (NP) genes and mutant caspase genes markedly increased T-cell responses. Both CD8 and CD4 T-cell responses were affected.

Genes in drug abuse.

Because of the genome projects it will be possible to identify the changes in gene expression that are associated with drug abuse. The ultimate goal will be to determine the role and significance of the gene products. To date about 100 genes have been found with altered expression after administration of drugs.

Th1 genetic adjuvants modulate immune responses in neonates.

In these studies, we address the ability of DNA encoding Th1 cytokines to bias the isotype of antibody raised by neonatal or adult immunization with an influenza hemagglutinin expressing DNA (HA-DNA). Neonatal mice coimmunized with HA-DNA and either IL-12 or IFN-gamma-expressing DNA developed IgG2a-biased immune responses, regardless of inoculation method. In contrast, the Th1 genetic adjuvants had no effect on IgG subtype patterns in adults.

Use of intrauterine devices (IUDs) for contraception in the common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes).

The common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) is a species phylogenetically very close to man. It was not many years ago that the captive population of chimpanzees (P. troglodytes) was considered at risk because of perceived problems with reproductive success.

CART peptides.

CART peptides are among the newest putative peptide neurotransmitter/cotransmitters. They show no significant homology to any other peptide, and they are thought to have a role in reward and reinforcement, feeding, development, sensory processing, stress and endocrine control.

CART: from gene to function.

CART was identified as a novel mRNA regulated by psychostimulant drugs. CART peptides appear to be neurotransmitters involved in a variety of functions such as feeding. The mouse gene has been characterized and localized to Chromosome 13.

Studies of selected phenyltropanes at monoamine transporters.

3-Phenyltropane analogues of cocaine are useful neurobiologic tools for examining mechanisms of neurotransmitter transporters and psychostimulant drugs. They are also potential substitute medications for psychostimulant abuse. In this study, 18 3-phenyltropane analogues were characterized in uptake and binding studies at dopamine (DAT), norepinephrine (NET) and serotonin (SERT) transporters from the rat, and in binding at DAT in rat, rhesus monkey, and human brain tissue.

CART peptide analysis by Western blotting.

CART peptides have been implicated in leptin-regulated feeding, reward and reinforcement, neurotropism, and other processes. In this Western blotting study, at least six different CART peptides varying from 4 to 14 kD were found in rat brain, pituitary, gut, and adrenal gland. The peptides may be processed differently in different tissues and one species found in the rat was not found in human hypothalamus.

CART peptides: novel addiction- and feeding-related neuropeptides.

CART peptides are novel, putative brain-gut neurotransmitters and co-transmitters that probably have a role in drug abuse, the control of feeding behavior, sensory processing, stress and development. They are abundant, processed and apparently released. Exogenously applied peptides cause inhibition of feeding and have neurotrophic properties.

Chimpanzee handedness revisited: 55 years since Finch (1941).

Chimpanzees and other great apes have long held the fascination of psychologists because of their morphological and behavioral similarities to humans. This paper describes the historical interest in studies on chimpanzee handedness and reviews current findings. Data are presented which suggest that transient changes in posture result in the transient expression of right-handedness in chimpanzees.

Kinship, association, and social relationships in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

Data on social interactions with matrilineal kin were collected from two groups of rhesus monkeys for 6 years. All behavioral states, including time within one meter of another, involved kin more often than would be expected by chance. Significant associations were also found between kinship and the frequencies of various forms of agonistic as well as affiliative acts.

Sex differences in adolescent rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) Behavior.

Sex differences in the behavior of 2.5- to 4.5-year-old rhesus monkeys, living in two social groups approximating natural compositions, were studied over a period of 3 years.

Seasonal weight changes in male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

Adult male rhesus monkeys lose weight during the breeding season and regain it during the nonbreeding season. The annual pattern of maximum weight gain just prior to the onset of breeding resembles the seasonal "fattening" seen in squirrel monkeys, but the period of weight gain is less discrete. The magnitude of weight change is less in younger males, in that sexually immature males gain weight in both seasons, but significantly less during the breeding season.

Wounding patterns in three species of captive macaques.

The incidence of wounding in captive groups of rhesus (Macaca mulatta), pigtail (M. nemestrina), and stumptail (M. arctoides) macaques was studied for 21 months.

Grooming with a stone in sooty mangabeys (Cercocebus atys).

"Stone-grooming," or grooming with a stone, has been reported in Macaca fuscata. This report provides a descriptive account of a similar behavior displayed by a female mangabey Cercocebus atys. During a study of embracing behavior in sooty mangabeys, one adult female was observed to groom her infant with a stone.

Patterns of affiliation among immature rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

The affiliative interaction patterns of the immature members of a group of rhesus monkeys at the Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center reflected a strong bias toward matrilineal kin, although this effect was modified by age and sex variables. Association with kin decreased with age, particularly for males. Juvenile males showed less of a kin bias in their behavior than did juvenile females, especially for grooming.

Modification of aggression through socialization and the special case of adult and adolescent male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

Significant differences exist in the frequencies with which age-sex classes of rhesus macaques engage in agonistic interactions with other age-sex classes. In the study reported here, individuals engaged in significantly more agonistic interactions within their own age-sex classes, but, adult females also showed significantly more aggression toward infants and young females whereas adult males directed significantly more aggression toward adolescent males. Infants directed aggression toward infants of both sexes, but adults showed significantly less aggression toward adults of the opposite sex.

Estradiol increases somatomedin-C concentrations in adolescent rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta).

Estradiol (E2) may enhance somatomedin-C (Sm-C) secretion during puberty in female rhesus monkeys. The present study evaluated the importance of age and acute changes in E2 on Sm-C secretion. Intact (INT) females at their first ovulation (age 3.

Agonistic aiding: Kinship, rank, age, and sex influences.

An analysis of 3,774 episodes of agonistic aiding collected during a two-year study of a rhesus monkey group (Macaca, mulatta) indicated the differential influence of kinship and rank relationships on the participation of different age-sex classes in both aid to victims and aid to aggressors. Most aiding favored victims rather than aggressors and was much more likely to occur when matrilineal kin were involved. Females were more likely to aid than were males, and the frequency of their participation increased with age.

Ontogenetic changes and the stability of rhesus monkey dominance relationships.

Dominance relationships were studied in a rhesus monkey group during five consecutive years. The group consisted of eight stable matriarchies and an adult male class which was replaced at the start, and again at the midpoint, of the study. Immature males were selectively harvested to maintain a sex ratio typical of natural troops.

Cyclic proceptivity in a captive female orang-utan (Pongo Pygmaeus Abelii).

An adult male-female pair of orang-utans was observed for a 3-month period, commencing with the introduction of the animals to each other. After approximately 2 weeks, the female began to show proceptive behaviors towards the male. Two other proceptive periods were observed, occuring from 26 to 30 days apart, and lasting for 4-6 days.