ABSTRACT
Indirect measures of sexual selection have been criticized because they can overestimate the magnitude of selection. In particular, they do not account for the degree to which mating opportunities can be monopolized by individuals of the sex that compete for mates. We introduce a measure of mate monopolization (m) based on the magnitude of correlated paternity and evaluate its ability to track changes in the magnitude of sexual selection. Simulation models were used to compare how well m tracked changes in the selection differential (s) for a trait regulating mating success. We further evaluated the association between m and s using ten replicate mating arrays of Sagittaria latifolia in which plants with contrasting alleles at microsatellite loci competed for siring opportunities. The computer models and mating arrays both demonstrated a positive linear association between m and s, supporting the utility of m as an index of sexual selection. Commonly used measures of sexual selection are not easily applied to organisms, such as the flowering plants, for which mating events are difficult to observe. The measure of mate monopolization introduced here could prove to be a useful addition to studies of sexual selection in these organisms.
Subject(s)
Mating Preference, Animal , Paternity , Sexual Behavior, Animal , Animals , Phenotype , Reproduction , Sexual BehaviorABSTRACT
Prenatal care is recognized as a valuable intervention to improve pregnancy outcomes. Preconception care can further enhance pregnancy outcomes by optimizing health during the most critical period of organogenesis, the 17 to 56 days after conception. The goal of preconception care is to reduce perinatal mortality and morbidity. The research data supporting preconception care is limited, but it has been proven to reduce perinatal mortality and morbidity in certain populations. Preconception care is most cost-effectively provided as an integral part of primary care services during routine health promotion. It may be introduced during routine health screening, through patient education literature, and in group health promotion classes. Preconception care includes a comprehensive health history and physical exam with initiation of health promotion interventions prior to conception. Outlined in this paper are guidelines for preconception care with a table summarizing assessment, interventions, and patient education. A preconception assessment tool and patient handout are also included.
Subject(s)
Health Promotion , Patient Care Planning , Preconception Care , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Female , Humans , Mass Screening , Nurse Practitioners , Nursing Assessment , Patient Education as Topic , Pregnancy , Pregnancy OutcomeABSTRACT
Previous work in our laboratory demonstrated that Ro15-4513, a partial inverse benzodiazepine agonist, decreases self-administration of ethanol (ETOH) in rats maintained on a two-bottle regmine of a saccharin ethanol solution (ES) and water over a 35-day consumption period. The present study extended the consumption period to 60 days and examined the effects of Ro15-4513 (2.5 mg/kg), flumazenil (Ro15-1788) (8.0 mg/kg), and Ro15-4513 in combination with Ro15-1788 on the time course of ETOH self-administration. High initial intake of ES observed during the first 4 weeks declined significantly over subsequent weeks. Ro15-4513 pretreatment, however, resulted in significant reduction of ES, while significantly preventing the "normal" reduction of consumption as was observed under control conditions. The antagonistic actions of Ro15-4513 were blocked/attenuated by the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, Ro15-1788, independent of whether consumption of the ES was low or high. Both Ro15-4513 and Ro15-1788 affected water intake differentially compared with vehicle-injected controls. The results suggest that GABA-benzodiazepine mechanisms may be important in altering chronic ETOH drinking patterns depending upon experience with ETOH, tolerance, or learning.
Subject(s)
Alcohol Drinking/physiopathology , Azides/pharmacology , Benzodiazepines/pharmacology , Flumazenil/pharmacology , Receptors, GABA-A/drug effects , Animals , Brain/drug effects , Brain/physiopathology , Male , Motivation , Rats , Rats, Inbred Strains , Receptors, GABA-A/physiology , Self Administration , Taste/drug effects , Taste/physiologyABSTRACT
The repeated injection of cocaine results in the formation of arteriosclerotic lesions in rabbits, which appear to be similar to early arteriosclerotic lesions seen in man. Biochemically, the aortas exhibited increased rates of protein synthesis, without any change in tissue cholesterol content. The cocaine-treated rabbits exhibited no change in serum cholesterol levels. These data suggest that the abuse of cocaine may result in damage to the aorta, which could result in the premature onset of cardiovascular disease and its complications.
