Objective: Despite the high prevalence of CRC and the proven benefits of faecal sampling tests, participation rates in CRC screening are suboptimal. Literature has identified a number of barriers to participation, inc...Objective: Despite the high prevalence of CRC and the proven benefits of faecal sampling tests, participation rates in CRC screening are suboptimal. Literature has identified a number of barriers to participation, including faecal aversion. Emerging test technologies suggest blood-based molecular markers might provide an alternative, more acceptable option, for CRC screening tests. We aim to determine preference for blood compared to faeces as the sample for the screening test. Methods: A survey was mailed to 956 South Australians aged 50 to 74 years. Data were collected on sample preference, demographic variables, and ratings of screening test convenience and comfort. Results: The survey yielded a 43% response rate. The majority of participants preferred to provide a blood sample (78% v 22%, p < 0.001). Women were more likely to prefer blood than men (82% vs 74%, p = 0.05). Sample experience influenced preferences, with a significantly higher preference for faeces among participants with experience in faecal sampling (27% vs 17% with no experience, p < 0.05). Participants who preferred to provide a faecal sample rated it significantly more convenient (p < 0.001), more comfortable (p < 0.001), and more acceptable (p < 0.001) than those who preferred blood sampling. Conclusions: Survey participants overwhelmingly indicate a preference for the idea of a blood sample over a faecal sample for CRC screening. Preference was influenced by gender, experience with sampling method and the individual’s perception of sampling convenience, sampling comfort and sample acceptability. Our results suggest population participation rates are likely to improve with blood-based screening tests.展开更多
Background:The chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)model has long been considered the best model for exploring the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying depression.However,there are no widely recognised standard...Background:The chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)model has long been considered the best model for exploring the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying depression.However,there are no widely recognised standards for strategies for modeling and for behavioral testing.The present study aimed to optimize the protocols for food deprivation and the sucrose preference test(SPT)for the CUMS model.Methods:We first evaluated the effects of different long periods of food deprivation on the body weight of Sprague Dawley(SD)rats by testing food deprivation for 24 hours(8:00-8:00^+),food deprivation for 12 hours during the daytime(8:00-20:00)and food deprivation for 12 hours at night(20:00-8:00^+).Next,we established a SD rat CUMS model with 15 different stimulations,and used body weight measurement,SPT,forced swim test(FST),open field test(OFT)and Morris water maze(MWM)test to verify the success of the modeling.In the SPT,consumption of sucrose and pure water within 1 and 12 hours was measured.Results:Twelve hours of food deprivation during the daytime(8:00-20:00)had no effect on body weight,while 12 hours of food deprivation at night(20:00-8:00^+)and 24 hours of food deprivation(8:00-8:00^+)significantly reduced the mean body weight of the SD rats.When SPT was used to verify the successful establishment of the CUMS rat model,sucrose consumption measured within 12 hours was less variable than that measured within 1 hour.Conclusions:Twelve hours of food deprivation in the daytime(8:00-20:00)may be considered a mild stimulus for the establishment of a CUMS rat model.Measuring sucrose consumption over 12 hours is recommended for SPT.展开更多
In music preference experiments, housing conditions and the control of parameters for animals can affect experimental results. However, the needs of animals are indeed insufficiently considered in many reports of anim...In music preference experiments, housing conditions and the control of parameters for animals can affect experimental results. However, the needs of animals are indeed insufficiently considered in many reports of animal experiments. In order to evaluate which music rats prefer, we developed a new music preference test system. Dwelling time and visiting frequency can be recorded automatically when rats moving among different compartments of the system. We can also observe the behaviors of rats captured by a video camera. By this system, the music preference can be found, and then the related music can be used in following various studies. In this paper, we described the design of this music preference test system of rat, and some primary results were reported.展开更多
Summary What is already known about this topic?Human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)self-testing serves as a crucial strategy for overcoming testing barriers,with urine-based self-testing emerging as a potential novel app...Summary What is already known about this topic?Human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)self-testing serves as a crucial strategy for overcoming testing barriers,with urine-based self-testing emerging as a potential novel approach.What is added by this report?In a real-world setting,this study demonstrated that the urine rapid test exhibited lower diagnostic accuracy compared to the blood rapid test.Study participants expressed stronger preferences for HIV self-testing methods utilizing finger prick samples,accompanied by standard written instructions and lower costs.展开更多
Last years the intake of energy drinks (drinks containing caffeine and alcohol) both in young men and women has been increased. However the investigators do not pay attention to the analysis of gender differences. The...Last years the intake of energy drinks (drinks containing caffeine and alcohol) both in young men and women has been increased. However the investigators do not pay attention to the analysis of gender differences. The goal of the study was the investigation of ethanol and caffeine influence on the alcohol preference formation and behavior in male and female rats under the conditions of long-term experiment. It has been found that six month intake of caffeine, ethanol and their combination has led to the increase of alcohol preference both in male and female rats. Alcohol preference was formed earlier in rats consumed combination of caffeine with ethanol, later on in rats consumed ethanol. In animals consumed caffeine the strong alcohol preference did not form up to the end of the experiment. Alcohol preference was higher in female rats consuming caffeine with ethanol and pure ethanol solution compared to male rats. .Behavioral activity significantly increased in females consumed caffeine and caffeine with ethanol, compared to animals received ethanol and controls. Similar tendency was observed in male rats. The anxiety level was significantly higher in females rats in all experimental groups compared to controls, while males did not demonstrate increased anxiety.展开更多
Background:Bitter taste receptors(Tas2rs)are generally considered to sense various bitter compounds to escape the intake of toxic substances.Bitter taste receptors have been found to widely express in extraoral tissue...Background:Bitter taste receptors(Tas2rs)are generally considered to sense various bitter compounds to escape the intake of toxic substances.Bitter taste receptors have been found to widely express in extraoral tissues and have important physiological functions outside the gustatory system in vivo.Methods:To investigate the physiological functions of the bitter taste receptor cluster Tas2r106/Tas2r104/Tas2r105/Tas2r114 in lingual and extraoral tissues,multiple Tas2rs mutant mice and Gnat3 were produced using CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technique.A mixture containing Cas9 and sgRNA mRNAs for Tas2rs and Gnat3 gene was microinjected into the cytoplasm of the zygotes.Then,T7EN1 assays and sequencing were used to screen genetic mutation at the target sites in founder mice.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)and immunostaining were used to study the expression level of taste signaling cascade and bitter taste receptor in taste buds.Perception to taste substance was also studied using twobottle preference tests.Results:We successfully produced several Tas2rs and Gnat3 mutant mice using the CRISPR/Cas9 technique.Immunostaining results showed that the expression of GNAT3 and PLCB2 was not altered in Tas2rs mutant mice.But qRT-PCR results revealed the changed expression profile of m Tas2rs gene in taste buds of these mutant mice.With two-bottle preference tests,these mutant mice eliminate responses to cycloheximide due to genetic mutation of Tas2r105.In addition,these mutant mice showed a loss of taste perception to quinine dihydrochloride,denatonium benzoate,and cucurbitacin B(CuB).Gnat3-mediated taste receptor and its signal pathway contribute to CuB perception.Conclusions:These findings implied that these mutant mice would be a valuable means to understand the biological functions of TAS2Rs in extraoral tissues and investigate bitter compound-induced responses mediated by these TAS2Rs in many extraoral tissues.展开更多
文摘Objective: Despite the high prevalence of CRC and the proven benefits of faecal sampling tests, participation rates in CRC screening are suboptimal. Literature has identified a number of barriers to participation, including faecal aversion. Emerging test technologies suggest blood-based molecular markers might provide an alternative, more acceptable option, for CRC screening tests. We aim to determine preference for blood compared to faeces as the sample for the screening test. Methods: A survey was mailed to 956 South Australians aged 50 to 74 years. Data were collected on sample preference, demographic variables, and ratings of screening test convenience and comfort. Results: The survey yielded a 43% response rate. The majority of participants preferred to provide a blood sample (78% v 22%, p < 0.001). Women were more likely to prefer blood than men (82% vs 74%, p = 0.05). Sample experience influenced preferences, with a significantly higher preference for faeces among participants with experience in faecal sampling (27% vs 17% with no experience, p < 0.05). Participants who preferred to provide a faecal sample rated it significantly more convenient (p < 0.001), more comfortable (p < 0.001), and more acceptable (p < 0.001) than those who preferred blood sampling. Conclusions: Survey participants overwhelmingly indicate a preference for the idea of a blood sample over a faecal sample for CRC screening. Preference was influenced by gender, experience with sampling method and the individual’s perception of sampling convenience, sampling comfort and sample acceptability. Our results suggest population participation rates are likely to improve with blood-based screening tests.
基金This work was supported by Social livelihood projects of Chongqing Science and Technology Bureau(cstc2017shms-zdyfX0048,csts2017shmsA00007).
文摘Background:The chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)model has long been considered the best model for exploring the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying depression.However,there are no widely recognised standards for strategies for modeling and for behavioral testing.The present study aimed to optimize the protocols for food deprivation and the sucrose preference test(SPT)for the CUMS model.Methods:We first evaluated the effects of different long periods of food deprivation on the body weight of Sprague Dawley(SD)rats by testing food deprivation for 24 hours(8:00-8:00^+),food deprivation for 12 hours during the daytime(8:00-20:00)and food deprivation for 12 hours at night(20:00-8:00^+).Next,we established a SD rat CUMS model with 15 different stimulations,and used body weight measurement,SPT,forced swim test(FST),open field test(OFT)and Morris water maze(MWM)test to verify the success of the modeling.In the SPT,consumption of sucrose and pure water within 1 and 12 hours was measured.Results:Twelve hours of food deprivation during the daytime(8:00-20:00)had no effect on body weight,while 12 hours of food deprivation at night(20:00-8:00^+)and 24 hours of food deprivation(8:00-8:00^+)significantly reduced the mean body weight of the SD rats.When SPT was used to verify the successful establishment of the CUMS rat model,sucrose consumption measured within 12 hours was less variable than that measured within 1 hour.Conclusions:Twelve hours of food deprivation in the daytime(8:00-20:00)may be considered a mild stimulus for the establishment of a CUMS rat model.Measuring sucrose consumption over 12 hours is recommended for SPT.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No. 60736029, 30525030, 30570474, 30870655the 973 project under Grant No. 2006CB504501.
文摘In music preference experiments, housing conditions and the control of parameters for animals can affect experimental results. However, the needs of animals are indeed insufficiently considered in many reports of animal experiments. In order to evaluate which music rats prefer, we developed a new music preference test system. Dwelling time and visiting frequency can be recorded automatically when rats moving among different compartments of the system. We can also observe the behaviors of rats captured by a video camera. By this system, the music preference can be found, and then the related music can be used in following various studies. In this paper, we described the design of this music preference test system of rat, and some primary results were reported.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant numbers#71974212,#71774178,#81803334,#72204059)the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(grant number#2020A1515010737)+1 种基金the Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou,China(grant number#202201010078)the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control of the National Science and Technology Major Project(grant number#2018ZX10715004).
文摘Summary What is already known about this topic?Human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)self-testing serves as a crucial strategy for overcoming testing barriers,with urine-based self-testing emerging as a potential novel approach.What is added by this report?In a real-world setting,this study demonstrated that the urine rapid test exhibited lower diagnostic accuracy compared to the blood rapid test.Study participants expressed stronger preferences for HIV self-testing methods utilizing finger prick samples,accompanied by standard written instructions and lower costs.
文摘Last years the intake of energy drinks (drinks containing caffeine and alcohol) both in young men and women has been increased. However the investigators do not pay attention to the analysis of gender differences. The goal of the study was the investigation of ethanol and caffeine influence on the alcohol preference formation and behavior in male and female rats under the conditions of long-term experiment. It has been found that six month intake of caffeine, ethanol and their combination has led to the increase of alcohol preference both in male and female rats. Alcohol preference was formed earlier in rats consumed combination of caffeine with ethanol, later on in rats consumed ethanol. In animals consumed caffeine the strong alcohol preference did not form up to the end of the experiment. Alcohol preference was higher in female rats consuming caffeine with ethanol and pure ethanol solution compared to male rats. .Behavioral activity significantly increased in females consumed caffeine and caffeine with ethanol, compared to animals received ethanol and controls. Similar tendency was observed in male rats. The anxiety level was significantly higher in females rats in all experimental groups compared to controls, while males did not demonstrate increased anxiety.
基金Shanghai Science and Technology Commission“R&D Public Service Platform and Institutional Capacity Improvement Project”,Grant/Award Number:21DZ2291300National Science and Technology Major Project,Grant/Award Number:2017ZX10304402-001-006 and 2017ZX10304402-001-012Start-on Funding from Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center,Grant/Award Number:KY-GW-2019-11,KYGW-2019-19 and KY-GW-2021-39。
文摘Background:Bitter taste receptors(Tas2rs)are generally considered to sense various bitter compounds to escape the intake of toxic substances.Bitter taste receptors have been found to widely express in extraoral tissues and have important physiological functions outside the gustatory system in vivo.Methods:To investigate the physiological functions of the bitter taste receptor cluster Tas2r106/Tas2r104/Tas2r105/Tas2r114 in lingual and extraoral tissues,multiple Tas2rs mutant mice and Gnat3 were produced using CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technique.A mixture containing Cas9 and sgRNA mRNAs for Tas2rs and Gnat3 gene was microinjected into the cytoplasm of the zygotes.Then,T7EN1 assays and sequencing were used to screen genetic mutation at the target sites in founder mice.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)and immunostaining were used to study the expression level of taste signaling cascade and bitter taste receptor in taste buds.Perception to taste substance was also studied using twobottle preference tests.Results:We successfully produced several Tas2rs and Gnat3 mutant mice using the CRISPR/Cas9 technique.Immunostaining results showed that the expression of GNAT3 and PLCB2 was not altered in Tas2rs mutant mice.But qRT-PCR results revealed the changed expression profile of m Tas2rs gene in taste buds of these mutant mice.With two-bottle preference tests,these mutant mice eliminate responses to cycloheximide due to genetic mutation of Tas2r105.In addition,these mutant mice showed a loss of taste perception to quinine dihydrochloride,denatonium benzoate,and cucurbitacin B(CuB).Gnat3-mediated taste receptor and its signal pathway contribute to CuB perception.Conclusions:These findings implied that these mutant mice would be a valuable means to understand the biological functions of TAS2Rs in extraoral tissues and investigate bitter compound-induced responses mediated by these TAS2Rs in many extraoral tissues.
