University of Cagliari

About: University of Cagliari is a education organization based out in Cagliari, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Dopamine. The organization has 11029 authors who have published 29046 publications receiving 771023 citations. The organization is also known as: Università degli Studi di Cagliari & Universita degli Studi di Cagliari.

Sex Differences in Drug Addiction: A Review of Animal and Human Studies

Abstract: Addiction research has historically neglected research on women, and most studies have been conducted on men only, with the concluding results generalized to the female population. The role of sex differences in vulnerability to drug abuse, their repercussions on prevention and treatment strategies all require detailed studies, as does the progression from recreational drug use to dependence. This review synthesizes evidence of gender differences in drug addiction, with particular emphasis on women’s health and implications. We first reviewed behavioral studies showing sex differences in the preference for and self-administration of licit (i.e., alcohol and nicotine) and illicit (i.e., cocaine, amphetamine, heroin and cannabis) substances as revealed by animal models of addiction. Clinical studies demonstrating differences between men and women in craving, drug use, abstinence and relapse will then be examined. For both animal and human studies, the effects of hormones and estrous/menstrual cycle will be ...

5HT3 receptor antagonists block morphine- and nicotine- but not amphetamine-induced reward.

Abstract: The effect of two potent and specific antagonists of 5HT3 receptors, ICS 205-930 and MDL 72222, on the reinforcing properties of amphetamine, morphine and nicotine was studied in rats. Durg-induced reinforcement was assessed by measuring drug-conditioned place preference. ICS 205-930 and MDL 72222 dose-dependently reduced the place preference induced by morphine (1.0 mg/kg SC). At doses of 0.030 mg/kg SC the two antagonists completely blocked morphine-induced place preference while doses of 0.015 mg/kg SC significantly reduced it. ICS 205-930 and MDL 72222 at doses of 0.030 mg/kg SC also prevented the place preference induced by nicotine (0.6 mg/kg SC). In contrast, ICS 205-930 and MDL 72222 up to doses of 0.030 mg/kg SC failed to modify the place preference elicited by amphetamine (1.0 mg/kg SC). The results indicate that 5HT3 receptors are specifically involved in the reinforcing properties of morphine and nicotine.

Spontaneous 2-dimensional carrier confinement at the n-type SrTiO3/LaAlO3 interface.

Abstract: We describe the intrinsic mechanism of 2-dimensional electron confinement at the $n$-type ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}/{\mathrm{LaAlO}}_{3}$ interface as a function of the sheet carrier density ${n}_{s}$ via advanced first-principles calculations. Electrons localize spontaneously in Ti $3{d}_{xy}$ levels within a thin ($\ensuremath{\lesssim}2\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{nm}$) interface-adjacent ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$ region for ${n}_{s}$ lower than a threshold value ${n}_{c}\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{14}\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. For ${n}_{s}g{n}_{c}$ a portion of charge flows into Ti $3{d}_{xz}\mathrm{\text{\ensuremath{-}}}{d}_{yz}$ levels extending farther from the interface. This intrinsic confinement can be attributed to the interface-induced symmetry breaking and localized nature of Ti $3d$ ${t}_{2g}$ states. The sheet carrier density directly controls the binding energy and the spatial extension of the conductive region. A direct, quantitative relation of these quantities with ${n}_{s}$ is provided.

The chorus experiment to search for νμ → ντ oscillation

Abstract: A new experimental apparatus, designed principally for a high sensitivity search for ν μ → ν τ oscillation, has been successlly constructed and made operational by the CHORUS Collaboration for the CERN-WA95 experiment. It consists of a large emulsion target, a scintillating fiber tracker system with optoelectronics read-out, an air-core magnet, a set of trigger hodoscopes, a calorimeter based on the lead/scintillating-fiber technique, and a muon spectrometer. The design, construction and performance of the entire apparatus and of the different detectors are described.