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A literature review both affirms and denies a relationship between creativity and public school achievement. A study involving 116 students from grades 6, 8, and 10 found that high levels of creative ability may contribute to a pattern of underachievement by interfering with convergent thinking within the time constraints of a regular classroom session. (JDD)

With rapidly increasing enrollment and soaring tuition becoming major concerns of students, instructors, and administrators in many institutions of higher learning, the search to identify the most effective ways of [...]

The sleep-deprived rabbits were exposed to auditory stimuli during slow-wave sleep (SWS) to determine if the delta frequency of SWS correlates with arousability. Analysis of changes in eye state and body posture in rabbits indicated effects of sleep deprivation on prestimulus and poststimulus measures of delta power. Furthermore, the behavioral responses or arousability in rabbits did not correlate with delta power.

The effect of lighting conditions on the sleep responses induced by Candida albicans infection in rabbits was investigated by placing three different groups of C. albicans-inoculated rabbits in continuous darkness, continuous light and 12:12-hour light-dark cycles. The results show that lighting conditions significantly affect the duration and magnitude of sleep responses induced C. albicans infection. Lighting conditions also modulated the infection-induced changes in rabbit plasma triglyceride levels.

A comparison of the acute phase response (APR) in rabbits by the bacterial stimulus lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the viral stimulus polyriboinosinic: polyribocytidylic acid (poly I:C) after varying doses of the two stimuli reveals that intravenous infection of both agents lowered leukocytes but increases ceruloplasmin and colonic temperature. While fibrinogen was increased by intravenous LPS, antiviral activity was stimulated by intravenous poly I:C. Febrile responses that varied with dose were induced by the intracerebroventricular administration of the two agents but alterations in hematologic APR were absent.

A comparative study of interferon-alpha and interferon-beta shows that interferon-alpha is intrinsically somnogenic and pyrogenic, while interferon-beta does not show these characteristics. Interferon synergism with trace microbial products influences the central actions of interferon-alpha. Rabbit species-specific interferon exhibits higher somnogenic and pyrogenic potency than the recombinant human product.

Polyphenols are the main contributors for the wines color and also for others characteristics of wines such as astringency and bitterness. Samples of wines (red and white) were analyzed following to assess their polyphenols and anthocyanin's content in relation with their color characteristics. The properties of red (Fetească Neagră) and white wines (Fetească Albă from Cotnari vineyard) were compared to the wine made of grape hybrid cultivar Othello. Also the grape must obtained of hybrid cultivar Othello was analyzed. Polyphenols and anthocyanins were assessed by UV-VIS spectrophotometric methods. Polyphenols content was analyzed using Folin-Ciocalteu method and was expressed as gallic acid. Calibration with gallic acid as standard polyphenolic substance was previously performed. The method for determining anthocyanins is based on their property to be discolored by sulfites. Permanganate index was also determined to evaluate the reducing characteristics of wines by titration against potassium permanganate in the presence of Indigo carmine as redox indicator. Glories chromatic parameters such as color intensity, tonality, %Yellow, %Red and %Blue were established. Polyphenol of the analyzed wines ranged between 47-2653 mg/L polyphenols while the anthocyanins were 0-245 mg/L. Permanganate index was in the range of 14-87 ml KMnO4/L. The polyphenols content of the wine made of hybrid cultivar Othello was lower than that of red wine (Fetească Neagră). The color intensity was significant lower than that of Feteasca Neagră wines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interleukin (IL)-1 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) promote slow-wave sleep (SWS), whereas IL-10 inhibits the synthesis of IL-1 and TNF and promotes waking. We evaluated the impact of endogenous IL-10 on sleep-wake behavior by studying mice that lack a functional IL-10 gene. Under baseline conditions, C57BL/6-IL-10 knockout (KO) mice spent more time in SWS during the dark phase of the light-dark cycle than did genetically intact C57BL/6 mice. The two strains of mice showed generally comparable responses to treatment with IL-1, IL-10, or influenza virus, but differed in their responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In IL-10 KO mice, LPS induced an initial transient increase and a subsequent prolonged decrease in SWS, as well as profound hypothermia. These responses were not observed in LPS-treated C57BL/6 mice. These data demonstrate that in the absence of endogenous IL-10, spontaneous SWS is increased and the impact of LPS on vigilance states is altered. Collectively, these observations support a role for IL-10 in sleep regulation and provide further evidence for the involvement of cytokines in the regulation of sleep. interleukin-1; tumor necrosis factor; lipopolysaccharide; thermoregulation; influenza

Everson, Carol A., and Linda A. Toth. Systemic bacterial invasion induced by sleep deprivation. Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol 278: R905-R916, 2000.--Profound sleep disruption in humans is generally believed to cause health impairments. Through comparative research, specific physical effects and underlying mechanisms altered by sleep deprivation are being elucidated. Studies of sleep-deprived animals previously have shown a progressive, chronic negative energy balance and gradual deterioration of health, which culminate in fatal bloodstream infection without an infectious focus. The present study investigated the conditions antecedent to advanced morbidity in sleep-deprived rats by determining the time course and distribution of live microorganisms in body tissues that are normally sterile. The tissues cultured for microbial growth included the blood, four major organs, six regional lymph nodes, the intestine, and the skin. The principal finding was early infection of the mesenteric lymph nodes by bacteria presumably translocated from the intestine and bacterial migration to and transient infection of extraintestinal sites. Presence of pathogenic microorganisms and their toxins in tissues constitutes a septic burden and chronic antigenic challenge for the host. Bacterial translocation and pathogenic sequelae provide mechanisms by which sleep deprivation appears to adversely affect health. bacterial translocation; bacterial infections; immunity; immunocompetence; neuroimmunology

Xi, Xinzheng, and Linda A. Toth. Lipopolysaccharide effects on neuronal activity in rat basal forebrain and hypothalamus during sleep and waking. Am. J. Physiol. Regulatory Integrative Comp. Physiol. 278: R620-R627, 2000. --Peripheral administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is associated with alterations in sleep and the electroencephalogram. To evaluate potential neuronal mechanisms for the somnogenic effects of LPS administration, we used unanesthetized rats to survey the firing patterns of neurons in various regions of rat basal forebrain (BF) and hypothalamus during spontaneous sleep and waking and during the epochs of sleep and waking that occurred after the intraperitoneal administration of LPS. In the brain regions studied, LPS administration was associated with altered firing rates in 39% of the neurons examined. A larger proportion of LPS-responsive units showed vigilance-related alterations in firing rates compared with nonresponsive units. Approximately equal proportions of LPS-responsive neurons showed increased and decreased firing rates after LPS administration, with some units in the lateral preoptic area of the hypothalamus showing particularly robust increases. These findings are consistent with other studies showing vigilance-related changes in neuronal activity in various regions of BF and hypothalamus and further demonstrate that peripheral LPS administration alters neuronal firing rates in these structures during both sleep and waking. electrophysiology; fever; neuronal activation

Although genetic risk factor for influenza infection have not yet been defined in people, differences in genetic background and related variation in the response to infection, as well as viral virulence, are all likely to influence both the likelihood of infection and disease severity. However, apart from characterization of viral binding sites in avian and mammalian hosts, relatively little investigation has focused on host genetic determinants of susceptibility or resistance to infection, or the severity of the associated disease in humans in or other species. Similarly, the role of genetic background in the generation of an efficacious immune response to either infection or vaccination has not been extensively evaluated. However, genetic influences susceptibility and resistance to numerous infectious agents and on the resultant host inflammatory and immune responses are well established in both humans in other animals. Mouse-adapted strains of human influenza viruses and the use of inbred strains of laboratory mice have supported extensive characterization of the pathogenesis and immunology of influenza virus infections. Like individual humans, inbred strains of mice vary in their reactions to influenza infection, particularly with regard to the inflammatory response and disease severity, supporting the potential use of these mice as a valuable surrogate for human genetics variation. Relying heavily on what we have learned from mice, this overview summarizes existing animal, human and epidemiologic data suggestive of host genetic influences on influenza infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitric oxide (NO) radicals are produced during normal cellular function, after tissue injury, and in response to immune system activation during infection. The transformation of NO to peroxynitrite is essential for mediating some of its physiological and/or cytotoxic actions. As the expression of the adenosine A1 receptor (A1AR) is regulated by oxidative stress, we evaluated the role of NO in the regulation of A1AR expression, a G protein-coupled receptor involved in cytoprotection in the central nervous system. Administration of the NO donor, S-nitrosylpenicillamine (SNAP), to pheochromocytoma 12 (PC12) cells increased A1AR protein in a time- and dose-dependent manner, with maximal induction observed with 20 lM SNAP at 24 h. The response to SNAP was attenuated by the NO scavenger 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5- tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3 oxide (C-PTIO), and by the inhibition of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), implicating this transcription factor in the regulatory process. In addition SNAP also increased the degradation of Inhibitory κB-α (IκB-α), a marker of NF-κB activation. Furthermore, the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) by lipopolysaccharide increased A1AR in PC12 cells and in mice, whereas the inhibition of NOS activity suppressed this response. We conclude that NO, via the activation of NF-κB, serves as an endogenous regulator of A1AR, and speculate that the induction of the A1AR could counteract the cytotoxicity of NO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the use of unanesthetized rats to survey the firing patterns of neurons in various regions of rat basal forebrain (BF) and hypothalamus during spontaneous sleep and waking. Evaluation of the potential neuronal mechanisms for the somnogenic effects of lipopolysaccharide administration; Changes in neuronal activity in regions of BF and hypothalamus.

Explores the effect of cluster course teaching on student academic achievement, self-esteem, sense of alienation and perceived meaningfulness of the college experience. No measurable benefits found for the college freshmen in the study.

Lipoxygenase-derived lipid mediators can modulate inflammation and are stimulated in response to influenza infections. We report an effect of 8-lipoxygenase (ALOX8) on the recovery of mice after infection with Influenza virus X31. We compared the responses of 3- and 6-month-old mice with a deletion of ALOX8 (ALOX8−/−) to influenza infections with those of age-matched littermate wild-type mice (ALOX8+/+). The duration of illness was similar in 3-month-old ALOX8−/− and ALOX8+/+ mice. However, the 6-month-old ALOX8−/− mice showed a prolonged state of illness compared with ALOX8+/+ mice, as evidenced by reduced body temperatures, reduced locomotor activities, and delayed weight recovery. Although residual viral RNA in the lungs at day 10 post-inoculation was significantly influenced by the age of the ALOX8−/− mice, there were no significant differences between ALOX8−/− and ALOX8+/+ mice within the same age groups. The levels of cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6) and keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC) differed significantly between 6-month-old ALOX8−/− and ALOX8+/+ mice 10 days after viral inoculation. Our data suggest that ALOX8 deficiency in mice leads to impaired recovery from influenza infection in an age-dependent manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Ginseng is a widely consumed aromatic herb that is purported to have health benefits. Several studies report a beneficial impact of ginseng or its derivatives on Candida albicans infection in mice and suggest that its immune-modulatory properties contribute to this effect. However, these studies generally administered ginseng to experimental animals by injection, whereas people typically ingest ginseng. Furthermore, although disseminated candiasis is typically a disease of immune-impaired hosts, previous studies have generally used immune competent host species in the assessments. Materials and methods: We evaluated the efficacy of an ingested extract of ginseng against Candida albicans infection in DBA/2J mice, which are highly susceptible to Candida albicans infection. A ginseng extract was added to the drinking water for two days before and for the remainder of the study after intravenous inoculation of mice with Candida albicans. Mice were evaluated for morbidity, mortality, Candida albicans titers, and concentrations of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Results: Ingestion of the ginseng extract did not significantly affect overall morbidity or mortality. However, ingestion of the extract was associated with significantly lower renal titers of Candida albicans and with significantly lower concentrations of some inflammatory cytokines in kidney and/or serum. Conclusions: Assessment of morbidity, mortality, inflammatory markers, and renal titers after spontaneous ingestion of ginseng by susceptible hosts represents a comprehensive approach to characterizations of therapeutic efficacy against infectious agents. Our findings extend previous reports of the efficacy of ginseng against Candida albicans by demonstrating significant reductions in infectious load and some markers of inflammation in susceptible mice. Our data therefore support further assessment of the immune-modulatory properties of this widely consumed herb and its components. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]