General dependencies and causality analysis of road traffic fatalities in OECD countries

Abstract

The road traffic accidents were responsible for material and human loss which was equal to 2.8 to 5% of gross national product (GNP). However, literature does not explore the elasticity coefficients and nexus of road traffic fatalities with foreign direct investment, health expenditures, trade openness, mobile subscriptions, the number of researchers in R&D department, and environmental particulate matter. This study filled this research gap by exploring the nexus between road traffic fatalities, foreign direct investment, health expenditures, trade openness, mobile subscriptions, the number of researchers, and environmental particulate matter in Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries by using panel data from 1995 to 2015. The panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bound test was used for the detection of cointegration between the variables after checking the stationarity in selected variables with different panel unit root tests. Panel vector error correction model explored the causality of road traffic fatalities, foreign direct investment, PM2.5 in the environment, and trade openness in the long run. Road traffic fatalities showed short run bi-directional causality with foreign direct investment and health expenditures. The short run bi-directional causality was also observed between trade and foreign direct investment and cellular mobile subscriptions and foreign direct investment. The panel fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS) and panel dynamic ordinary least square (DOLS) showed the 0.947% reduction in road fatalities for 1% increase in the health expenditures in OECD countries. The significant reduction in road fatalities was also observed due to 1% increase in trade openness and researchers in R&D, which implies the importance of trade and research for road safety. It is required to invest in the health sector for the safety of precious human lives like the hospitals with latest medical equipment and improvement in the emergency services in the country. The research and development activities should be enhanced especially for the health and transportation sectors. The trade of environment-friendly technology should be promoted for the protection of environment.

https://ift.tt/2jBYzbt

Chronic co-exposure to chlorpyrifos and deltamethrin pesticides induces alterations in serum lipids and oxidative stress in Wistar rats: mitigating role of alpha-lipoic acid

Abstract

The study evaluated the effect of combination of chlorpyrifos (CPF) and deltamethrin (DLT) on serum lipid profiles and oxidative stress in rats, and the mitigating role of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA). Thirty male rats were used for the 120-day study. Serum samples obtained at termination were evaluated for the levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), malondialdehyde (MDA), and the activities of antioxidant enzymes. The levels of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL), and atherogenic index (AI) were calculated. The pesticide combination elevated the levels of TG, TC, LDL, VLDL, AI, and MDA, and decreased HDL level, and activities of CAT, SOD, and GPx. The alterations induced by CPF and DLT were alleviated by ALA, partly through its antioxidant properties. In conclusion, co-exposure to DLT and CPF altered serum lipids and increased oxidative stress changes in the rats, which were ameliorated by ALA.

https://ift.tt/2FNScuc

Identification of toxic substances in phenol-acetone wastewater on activated sludge and selective toxicity removal performance with ferrous pretreatment

Abstract

We investigated the effects of toxic wastewater generated during the production of phenol-acetone on activated sludge and tested pretreatment methods to selectively remove the toxicity. We found that the microbial activity in the activated sludge was inhibited by the wastewater, in which cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) with a medium effective concentration (EC₅₀) of 225 mg L⁻¹ was the main toxic substance. We tested one pretreatment method with ferrous iron to selectively remove the CHP. The CHP decomposition process, which mainly produced acetophenone, was very quick. The CHP was selectively transformed into low-toxicity organics, and a maximum of 92% was removed when 1.08 mmol L⁻¹ of ferrous iron was added, for a reaction time of 10 min, a pH of 5, and a temperature of 25 °C, and the resulting wastewater only slightly inhibited the oxygen uptake rate of activated sludge. The acclimation of activated sludge was accelerated, and a COD removal rate of more than 85% was achieved within a week. Our results confirm that ferrous iron provides a cost-effective method to selectively remove toxins from wastewater.

https://ift.tt/2KFnl6R

Retention and release of hexavalent and trivalent chromium by chitosan, olive stone activated carbon, and their blend

Abstract

Shrimp shells and waste of olive stones were used as feedstock for the preparation of chitosan and activated carbon. The adsorption of Cr^VI and Cr^III species in aqueous solution by the materials prepared and their blend were studied by using the well-known kinetic and isotherm models, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope. It was demonstrated that the rates of adsorption were controlled by diffusion inside particles and throughout the liquid film, and adsorption occurred spontaneously (− 26 < ∆G° < − 15 kJ/mol) in the range of 298–333 K, except for that involving Cr^III species and activated carbon. The maximum amounts of Cr species retained by the composite (146 mg of Cr^VI/g and 33 mg of Cr^III/g at 298 K) were three times greater than those of the basic constituents. Adsorption was markedly affected by temperature and pH, and Cr^VI species were substantially desorbed in acid mediums, particularly in acetic acid solution. The recovery of Cr^III species varied according to the adsorbent and the solution used. The immobilization of Cr^VI species (HCrO₄⁻ and CrO₄²⁻) and Cr^III species (Cr(OH)₂⁺ and Cr₃(OH)₄⁵⁺) by chitosan was accomplished by means of amine moieties and hydroxyls of D-glucosamine units of the biopolymer. The adsorption of Cr^VI species on activated carbon involved π electrons of aromatic rings as well as oxygenated sites (C–OH, C=O, C–O–C). In such a condition, Cr^VI was partially reduced into Cr^III. For the composite, the amino functional groups of chitosan and hydroxyls of both constituents were implicated in the linkage of the biopolymer and activated carbon, and the C–O–H and C–O–C functional groups of chitosan were involved in the retention of Cr^VI species. For Cr^III species, adsorption occurred preferentially on hydroxyls of the components, and consequently, the chains of the biopolymer recovered some flexibility.

https://ift.tt/2HXAMgl

A comparison between the four Geldart groups on the performance of a gas-phase annular fluidized bed photoreactor for volatile organic compound oxidation

Abstract

Heterogeneous photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) is a widely studied alternative for the elimination of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in air. In this context, research on novel photoreactor arrangements to enhance PCO rates is desired. Annular fluidized bed photoreactors (AFBPR) have yielded prominent results when compared to conventional thin film reactors. However, very few works aimed at optimizing AFBPR operation. In this study, TiO₂ photocalytic agglomerates were synthesized and segregated in specific size distributions to behave as Geldart groups A, B, C, and D fluidization. The TiO₂ agglomerates were characterized by XRD, FTIR spectra, and N₂ adsorption. Photocatalyst performances were compared in a 10-mm gapped AFBPR for degrading the model pollutant methyl-ethyl-ketone (MEK), using a 254-nm radiation source. Geldart group C showed to be inadequate for AFBPR operation due to the short operation range between fluidization and elutriation. In all the cases, photocatalytic reaction rates were superior to sole UV photolysis. Group A and group B demonstrated the highest reaction rates. Considerations based on mass transfer suggested that the reasons were enhanced UV distribution within the bed at lower flow rates and superior catalyst surface area at higher flow rates. Results also revealed that groups A, B, and D perform equally per catalyst area within an AFBPR if the fluidization numbers (FN) are high enough.

https://ift.tt/2IjpUNh

Treatment outcome reporting in anorexia nervosa: time for a paradigm shift?

https://ift.tt/2rq8uoF

Acquired idiopathic generalised anhidrosis: A rare cause of sweating deficiency

Australasian Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2wj4Mlt

Ten-year follow-up after combined coronary artery bypass grafting and transmyocardial laser revascularization in patients with disseminated coronary atherosclerosis

Abstract

Coronary artery disease involving heavily calcified lesions has been associated with worse short- and long-term outcomes including increased mortality. This paper aims to evaluate long-term survival benefit when CABG + transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMLR) are performed on the hearts of patients with disseminated coronary atherosclerosis (DCA). This novel retrospective study was conducted between 1997 and 2002 and followed 86 patients with ischemic heart disease and severe DCA who underwent TMLR using a Holmium:YAG laser and/or CABG. There were 46 patients who had CABG plus TMLR on at least one heart wall ("combined therapy group") and 40 patients who had CABG or TMLR separately on at least one heart wall ("single therapy group"). For the whole group, actuarial survival at 10 years was 78.3% in the combined group compared to 72.5% in the single therapy group (p = 0.535). Ten-year survival in the combined vs. single therapy group for the anterior heart walls was 100 vs. 72.2% (p = 0.027). For the lateral and posterior heart walls were 73.7 vs. 73.3% (p = 0.97) and 84.2 vs. 72% (p = 0.27), respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed benefit only for the anterior heart wall (F Cox test, p = 0.103). Single therapy procedures on all heart walls (odds ratio 1.736, p = 0.264) or on the anterior heart wall only (odds ratio 3.286, p = 0.279) were found to be predictors of 10-year late mortality. Combined therapy (TMLR + CABG) provides benefit for perioperative mortality and long-term survival only when provided on the anterior heart wall. For patients with disseminated coronary atherosclerosis, cardiac mortality was found to be increased when followed up 6 years later, regardless of the therapy applied.

https://ift.tt/2jyslxy

A split-face study: comparison of picosecond alexandrite laser and Q-switched Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of melasma in Asians

Abstract

To evaluate efficacy and safety of picosecond 755 nm alexandrite laser as compared to 1064 nm QS-Nd:YAG laser for melasma treatment in Asians. Twelve patients received 4 sessions of treatments at 1-month interval in a split-face manner. The right side of each patient's face received 755 nm picosecond laser, and the other side received 1064 nm QS-Nd:YAG laser. Zoom handpiece of 755 nm picosecond laser at fluence of 0.88–1.18 J/cm² was applied. The treatment protocol used for 1064 nm QS-Nd:YAG laser was 8 mm spot size at fluence of 2.0 J/cm² initially followed by 6 mm spot size at fluence of 3.5 J/cm², and finishing with 4 mm spot size at 3.2 J/cm². For both 755 nm picosecond laser and 1064 nm QS-Nd:YAG laser, the endpoint was mild erythema and swelling without petechiae. Objective evaluation with visual analogue score was conducted by two independent physicians. Subject self-assessment for each patient was conducted as well. Statistical results showed that higher pigmentation clearance rate was achieved at the 755 nm picosecond laser side after the second treatment. At the 3 months follow-up, greater clearance was observed at the 755 nm picosecond laser side compared to the 1064 nm QS-Nd:YAG side. 755 nm alexandrite picosecond laser has been observed to achieve a faster and better clearance rate for melasma compared to 1064 nm QS-Nd:YAG laser. We conclude that the 755 nm picosecond laser could be a safe and effective modality for melasma treatment in Asians.

https://ift.tt/2wiK5Xb

Pneumatically adaptive light modulation system (PALMS) for buildings

Publication date: 15 August 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 152
Author(s): K. Hinz, J. Alvarenga, P. Kim, D. Park, J. Aizenberg, M. Bechthold
This research introduces a novel approach to control light transmittance based on flexible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) films that have been plasma-treated such that micro-scale surface features have a visual effect as the film responds to applied strain. The effect is continuously tunable from optically clear (71.5% Transmittance over a 400–900 nm wavelength) to completely diffuse (18.1% T). Changes in the film's optical properties are triggered by bi-axial strains applied using a pneumatic system to form pressurized envelopes. This paper reports on a series of experimental studies and provides system integration research using prototypes, simulations and geometric models to correlate measured optical properties, strain, and global surface curvatures. In conclusion, a design is proposed to integrate PDMS light control within existing building envelopes.Two alternatives are investigated and compared: System A uses positive pressure featuring an exterior grid to restrain and shape the inflated film during expansion; System B uses negative pressure where the films are shaped according to the geometry of an interstitial grid that serves as a spacer between two film surfaces. Both systems can provide effective control of opacity levels using pneumatic pressure and may be suitable for use with existing glazing systems or ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) pneumatic envelopes.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2jxsYHQ

The brittle-ductile transition of tungsten single crystals at the micro-scale

Publication date: 15 August 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 152
Author(s): J. Ast, J.J. Schwiedrzik, J. Wehrs, D. Frey, M.N. Polyakov, J. Michler, X. Maeder
The loading rate effect on the brittle-ductile transition temperatures of tungsten single crystals at the micro-scale was investigated by microcantilevers with a (100)[001] crack system. Specimens with a length to width to height of 15 μm/4 μm/6 μm were fabricated by focused ion beam milling. At low temperatures (−90 to −25 °C) the samples failed by brittle cleavage fracture, irrespective of the applied loading rate at a fracture toughness of 3.2 MPa·m^1/2. With increasing temperatures up to 500 °C and depending on the applied loading rate, the fracture toughness increased and significant crack tip plasticity and dislocation-controlled microcleavage were observed by means of high resolution electron backscatter diffraction measurements performed after testing. With respect to macroscopic specimens, a shift of the brittle-ductile transition to lower temperatures and a significantly lower activation energy of the brittle-ductile transition of 0.36 eV were found. We explain this by the increase in flow stresses due to sample size effects.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2HWIhUW

Trace elements concentration and distributions in coal and coal mining wastes and their environmental and health impacts in Shaanxi, China

Abstract

This study probe the probable impacts of coal mining pollution and its impacts on human's health and environment. A total of 144 samples including coal and coal wastes, soil, plants, foods, and water were collected from the Hancheng county and countryside of Shaanxi, China. All the samples were analyzed for trace elements using ICP-MS, OES, and AFS. Results showed that the concentration of Se, As, Cr, Cu, Pb, Cd, Co, Ni, Mo, U, Th (mgKg⁻¹), Fe, Mn, Al, Ti (%) etc., in coal and coal wastes were 7.5, 12.1, 275, 55, 54.2, 0.8, 14.8, 94.5, 8.9, 4.9, 17.2, 3.5, 0.02, 19, 0.7, respectively. While in soil 0.6, 12, 194, 27.5, 7.4, 0.6, 11.3, 83.4, 0.7, 1.7, 9.9, 3.1, 0.04, 10.5, and 0.4 for the above elements, respectively. In Hancheng foods, the average concentration of Se-0.09, As-0.15, Cr-1.8, Cu-3.2, Pb-0.4, Cd-0.02, Co-0.09, Ni-0.4, Mo-0.64, U-0.01, Th-0.03, Fe-129, Mn-15.6, Al-234, and Ti-5.2 in mgKg⁻¹, respectively, which are comparably higher than the countryside. The elemental concentration in groundwater of both areas was below the WHO-2004 standard. In Hancheng, the average daily intake (mgKg⁻¹bw/d) of Se 0.004–0.0038, As 0.004–0.13, Cr 0.055–0.06, Cd 0.001–0.004, Ni 0.018–13.91, Pb 0.05–0.001 adult-children, respectively. The toxic trace elements such as Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, Ti, Cd, Co, Th, Fe, Al, and Mo caused non-carcinogenic risk with high morbidity in children than adults. By assessing environmental risks, coal and coal wastes caused high risk, food and plants faced moderate to high risk, while mountain and agriculture soil are prone to low to considerable risk. The pollution in Hancheng County is extreme as compared to the countryside. The study concluded that the contamination is geogenic in both the areas but coal mining enhance the metals contamination and has extensive impacts on the living community and environment of Hancheng areas.

https://ift.tt/2jAQMdX

Protective effects of Curcuma longa against neurobehavioral and neurochemical damage caused by cerium chloride in mice

Abstract

Cerium chloride (CeCl₃) is considered an environmental pollutant and a potent neurotoxic agent. Medicinal plants have many bioactive compounds that provide protection against damage caused by such pollutants. Curcuma longa is a bioactive compound-rich plant with very important antioxidant properties. To study the preventive and healing effects of Curcuma longa on cerium-damaged mouse brains, we intraperitoneally injected cerium chloride (CeCl₃, 20 mg/kg BW) along with Curcuma longa extract, administrated by gavage (100 mg/kg BW), into mice for 60 days. We then examined mouse behavior, brain tissue damage, and brain oxidative stress parameters. Our results revealed a significant modification in the behavior of the CeCl₃-treated mice. In addition, CeCl₃ induced a significant increment in lipid peroxidation, carbonyl protein (PCO), and advanced oxidation protein product levels, as well as a significant reduction in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity remarkably increased in the brain of CeCl₃-treated mice. Histopathological observations confirmed these results. Curcuma longa attenuated CeCl₃-induced oxidative stress and increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes. It also decreased AChE activity in the CeCl₃-damaged mouse brain that was confirmed by histopathology. In conclusion, this study suggests that Curcuma longa has a neuroprotective effect against CeCl₃-induced damage in the brain.

https://ift.tt/2FNkQvj

Development and implementation of eco-genomic tools for aquatic ecosystem biomonitoring: the SYNAQUA French-Swiss program

Abstract

The effectiveness of environmental protection measures is based on the early identification and diagnosis of anthropogenic pressures. Similarly, restoration actions require precise monitoring of changes in the ecological quality of ecosystems, in order to highlight their effectiveness. Monitoring the ecological quality relies on bioindicators, which are organisms revealing the pressures exerted on the environment through the composition of their communities. Their implementation, based on the morphological identification of species, is expensive because it requires time and experts in taxonomy. Recent genomic tools should provide access to reliable and high-throughput environmental monitoring by directly inferring the composition of bioindicators' communities from their DNA (metabarcoding). The French-Swiss program SYNAQUA (INTERREG France-Switzerland 2017–2019) proposes to use and validate the tools of environmental genomic for biomonitoring and aims ultimately at their implementation in the regulatory bio-surveillance. SYNAQUA will test the metabarcoding approach focusing on two bioindicators, diatoms, and aquatic oligochaetes, which are used in freshwater biomonitoring in France and Switzerland. To go towards the renewal of current biomonitoring practices, SYNAQUA will (1) bring together different actors: scientists, environmental managers, consulting firms, and biotechnological companies, (2) apply this approach on a large scale to demonstrate its relevance, (3) propose robust and reliable tools, and (4) raise public awareness and train the various actors likely to use these new tools. Biomonitoring approaches based on such environmental genomic tools should address the European need for reliable, higher-throughput monitoring to improve the protection of aquatic environments under multiple pressures, guide their restoration, and follow their evolution.

https://ift.tt/2FP8Md3

Bird diversity and dissimilarity show contrasting patterns along heavy metal pollution gradients in the Urals, Russia

Abstract

The effects of industrial pollution on bird diversity have been widely studied using traditional diversity measures, which assume all species to be equivalent. We compared species richness and Shannon index with distance-based measures of taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity (the abundance-weighted mean nearest taxon distances), which describe within-community dissimilarity at terminal branches. Analysis of dissimilarity can shed light on the processes underlying community assembly, i.e., environmental filtering decreases dissimilarity whereas competitive exclusion increases it. In the 2-year study near Karabash and Revda copper smelters in Russia, point counts of nesting birds and habitat descriptions were taken at 10 sites (40 plots) along each pollution gradient. The abundance and diversity of birds showed good repeatability in both regions. The total density of birds, number of species per plot, and Shannon diversity decreased at high toxic load in both regions. The taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic nearest taxon distances showed the same pattern within regions. Species dissimilarity within communities increased with pollution in Karabash (due to loss of functionally similar species), but did not change in Revda (due to mass replacement of forest species by species of open habitats). Pollution-induced changes in bird communities near Karabash were greater due to the stronger deterioration of the forest ecosystems and less favorable natural conditions (more arid climate, lower diversity and vitality of the tree stand and understorey) compared to Revda. This study emphasizes the need for a multi-level approach to the analysis of bird communities using traditional indices of diversity, functional, taxonomic, or phylogenetic distances between species and environmental variables.

https://ift.tt/2jxn75k

Tracking nitrate sources in the Chaohu Lake, China, using the nitrogen and oxygen isotopic approach

Abstract

The Chaohu Lake is highly polluted and suffers from severe eutrophication. Nitrate is a key form of nitrogen that can cause water quality degradation. In this study, hydrochemical and dual isotopic approaches were utilized to identify the seasonal variation of nitrate sources in the Chaohu Lake and its inflowing rivers. The average nitrate concentrations ([NO₃⁻]) of the lake and its inflowing rivers were 89.9 and 140.8 μmol L⁻¹, respectively. The isotopic values of δ¹⁵N–NO₃⁻ and δ¹⁸O–NO₃⁻ in the lake ranged from − 1.01 to + 16.67‰ and from − 4.39 to + 22.20‰, respectively. The two major rivers had distinct isotopic compositions, with average δ¹⁵N–NO₃⁻ values of + 17.52 and + 3.51‰, and average δ¹⁸O–NO₃⁻ values of + 2.71 and + 7.47‰ for the Nanfei River and Hangbu River, respectively. The results show that soil organic ammonium and urban wastewater discharge were the main sources of nitrate in the Chaohu Lake, and nitrate assimilation was an important process affected [NO₃⁻] and isotopic compositions, especially in the western Chaohu Lake. The elevated [NO₃⁻] and δ¹⁵N–NO₃⁻ values in the western Chaohu Lake indicate the high influence of human activities. Urban wastewater discharge was the primary nitrate source in the Nanfei River and soil organic ammonium was the main source in the Hangbu River. Although nitrate from direct atmospheric deposition was low, its strong flushing effect can substantially improve riverine [NO₃⁻] and nitrate loading from terrestrial ecosystem. The relatively high nitrate fluxes from the Hangbu River indicate that nitrogen loading from agricultural watershed is unneglectable in watershed nitrogen sources reduction strategies.

https://ift.tt/2FQCkqG

Simultaneous accelerated solvent extraction and purification for the determination of 13 organophosphate esters in soils by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Abstract

Through the optimization of extraction, purification, and determination parameters, a reliable and convenient analytical method for the simultaneous determination of 13 organophosphate esters in soils was developed. The method is based on one-step extraction and purification by accelerated solvent extraction and analysis by gas chromatography-ion trap tandem mass spectrometry. Under the optimal conditions, the method detection limits and method quantitation limits ranged from 0.10 to 0.22 ng/g and from 0.33 to 0.72 ng/g, respectively. The recoveries obtained were in the range of 81.7–107%, and the relative standard deviations were less than 12%. As compared to other methods, this proposed method was simple and time and solvent saving. The developed method was successfully applied to analyze organophosphate esters in soil samples collected from Liaohe estuarine wetland, China. Thirteen organophosphate esters were detected in all of the soil samples which indicated that Liaohe estuarine wetland has polluted by organophosphate esters.

https://ift.tt/2jAndJy

Comparison of transitional vs surgical menopause on monoamine and amino acid levels in the rat brain

Publication date: Available online 5 May 2018
Source:Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
Author(s): Tao Long, Jeffrey K. Yao, Junyi Li, Ziv Z. Kirshner, Doug Nelson, George G. Dougherty, Robert B. Gibbs
Loss of ovarian function has important effects on neurotransmitter production and release with corresponding effects on cognitive performance. To date, there has been little direct comparison of the effects of surgical and transitional menopause on neurotransmitter pathways in the brain. In this study, effects on monoamines, monoamine metabolites, and the amino acids tryptophan (TRP) and tyrosine (TYR) were evaluated in adult ovariectomized (OVX) rats and in rats that underwent selective and gradual ovarian follicle depletion by daily injection of 4-vinylcyclohexene-diepoxide (VCD). Tissues from the hippocampus (HPC), frontal cortex (FCX), and striatum (STR) were dissected and analyzed at 1- and 6-weeks following OVX or VCD treatments. Tissues from gonadally intact rats were collected at proestrus and diestrus to represent neurochemical levels during natural states of high and low estrogens. In gonadally intact rats, higher levels of serotonin (5-HT) were detected at proestrus than at diestrus in the FCX. In addition, the ratio of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA)/5HT in the FCX and HPC was lower at proestrus than at diestrus, suggesting an effect on 5-HT turnover in these regions. No other significant differences between proestrus and diestrus were observed. In OVX- and VCD-treated rats, changes were observed which were both brain region- and time point-dependent. In the HPC levels of norepinephrine, 5-HIAA, TRP and TYR were significantly reduced at 1 week, but not 6 weeks, in both OVX and VCD-treated rats relative to proestrus and diestrus. In the FCX, dopamine levels were elevated at 6 weeks after OVX relative to diestrus. A similar trend was observed at 1 week (but not 6 weeks) following VCD treatment. In the STR, norepinephrine levels were elevated at 1 week following OVX, and HVA levels were elevated at 1 week, but not 6 weeks, following VCD treatment, relative to proestrus and diestrus. Collectively, these data provide the first comprehensive analysis comparing the effects of two models of menopause on multiple neuroendocrine endpoints in the brain. These effects likely contribute to effects of surgical and transitional menopause on brain function and cognitive performance that have been reported.



https://ift.tt/2jAgGOH

Effectiveness of multi-trait Burkholderia contaminans KNU17BI1 in growth promotion and management of banded leaf and sheath blight in maize seedling

Publication date: Available online 6 May 2018
Source:Microbiological Research
Author(s): Setu Bazie Tagele, Sang Woo Kim, Hyun Gu Lee, Hyun Seung Kim, Youn Su Lee
Plant growth promoting (PGP) bacteria enhance plant growth and are a green alternative to chemical fertilizers. In our study, an effective plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strain, KNU17BI1, was isolated from rhizospheric soil of maize, South Korea. The strain was tested in vitro for specific PGP and antifungal traits, such as phosphate solubilization, zinc solubilization, indole acetic acid (IAA) production, ammonia production, nitrogen fixation, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity, siderophore hydrogen cyanide production (HCN) and hydrolytic enzyme activity. Furthermore, in viro antifungal activity was done in a laboratory and in vivo effect of KNU17BI1 on banded leaf and sheath blight intensity as well as plant growth promotion on maize seedling were conducted under greenhouse conditions. The strain was found to be highly effective toward all the parameters except HCN production. The strain KNU17BI1 was identified on the basis of 16S RNA and multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) and confirmed as Burkholderia contaminans. This study for the first time demonstrated potent in vitro antifungal activity of B. contaminans against Rhizoctonia solani AG-1(IA), Pythium graminicola, Fusarium moniliforme, Alternaria alternata, Alternaria solani, Fusarium graminearum, Stemphylium botryosum Wallr, Colletotrichum dematium, Stemphylium lycopersici and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis. Furthermore, in this study, for the first time, the potential of B. contaminans stain KNU17BI1 in controlling banded leaf and sheath blight of maize caused by R. solani AG-1(IA) was reported. Therefore, further studies are warranted on the structural identification of actual compounds behind such activities that would be exploited further for biocontrol as well as plant growth promotion.



https://ift.tt/2rnae20

Semi-mechanistic Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic model of three pegylated rHuEPO and ior®EPOCIM in New Zealand rabbits

Publication date: 30 July 2018
Source:European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 120
Author(s): G. Reynaldo-Fernández, J. Solozábal, D. Amaro, E.M. Fernández-Sánchez, L. Rodríguez-Vera, M. Bermejo, V. Mangas-Sanjuan, I.F. Troconiz
Marketed formulations of erythropoietin (EPO) ior®EPOCIM, MIRCERA® and two newly developed pegylated-EPO analogues (PEG-EPO 32 and 40 kDa) formulations were intravenously administered to New Zealand rabbits. A semi-mechanistic Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model describing in a simultaneous and integrated form the time course of reticulocytes, red blood cells and hemoglobin was built to account for the time course of hematopoiesis stimulation after erythropoietin administration. Data analysis was performed based on the population approach with the software NONMEM version 7.3. Erythropoietin disposition of each of the administered formulations was best described with a two compartment model and linear elimination. Different formulations show different clearance and apparent volume of distribution of the central compartment but share estimates of inter-compartmental clearance and apparent peripheral volume of distribution. A semi-mechanistic model including cell proliferation, maturation, and homeostatic regulation provided a good description of the data regardless the type of erythropoietin formulation administered. The system-, and drug-related parameters showed consistency and differed across formulations, respectively. A single IV administration of PEG-EPO 32 and 40 kDa formulations in New Zealand rabbits achieves a median change of 27% and 22% on RET levels, and of 47% and 63% on RBC and HGB levels, respectively compared to MIRCERA®. The administration of new branched PEG-chains formulations improves PK and PD properties of EPO, in terms of increasing elimination half-lives and pharmacological activity on RET, RBC and HGB compared to commercially available formulations (ior®EPOCIM and MIRCERA®).

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2HWg2G0

Cortical developmental death: selected to survive or fated to die

Publication date: December 2018
Source:Current Opinion in Neurobiology, Volume 53
Author(s): Frédéric Causeret, Eva Coppola, Alessandra Pierani
The mature cerebral cortex only contains a fraction of the cells that are generated during embryonic development. Indeed some neuronal populations are produced in excess and later subjected to partial elimination whereas others are almost completely removed during the first two postnatal weeks in mice. Although the identity of cells that disappear, the time course and mechanisms of their death are becoming reasonably well established, the meaning of producing supernumerary cells still remains elusive. In this review, we focus on recent data that shed a new light on the mechanisms involved in adjusting cell numbers and discuss the significance of refinement versus complete elimination of cell populations in the developing cortex.



https://ift.tt/2KEMMoM

Ocean acidification modulates the incorporation of radio-labeled heavy metals in the larvae of the Mediterranean sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus

Publication date: October 2018
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volumes 190–191
Author(s): Narimane Dorey, Sophie Martin, François Oberhänsli, Jean-Louis Teyssié, Ross Jeffree, Thomas Lacoue-Labarthe
The marine organisms which inhabit the coastline are exposed to a number of anthropogenic pressures that may interact. For instance, the accumulation of toxic metals present in coastal waters is expected to be modified by ocean acidification through e.g. changes in physiological performance and/or elements availability. Changes in bioaccumulation due to lowering pH are likely to be differently affected depending on the nature (essential vs. non-essential) and speciation of each element. The Mediterranean is of high concern for possible cumulative effects due to strong human influences on the coastline.The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ocean acidification (from pH 8.1 down to −1.0 pH units) on the incorporation kinetics of six trace metals (Mn, Co, Zn, Se, Ag, Cd, Cs) and one radionuclide (²⁴¹Am) in the larvae of an economically- and ecologically-relevant sea urchin of the Mediterranean coastline: Paracentrotus lividus. The radiolabelled metals and radionuclides added in trace concentrations allowed precise tracing of their incorporation in larvae during the first 74 h of their development.Independently of the expected indirect effect of pH on larval size/developmental rates, Paracentrotus lividus larvae exposed to decreasing pHs incorporated significantly more Mn and Ag and slightly less Cd. The incorporation of Co, Cs and ²⁴¹Am was unchanged, and Zn and Se exhibited complex incorporation behaviors. Studies such as this are necessary prerequisites to the implementation of metal toxicity mitigation policies for the future ocean. We discuss possible reasons and mechanisms for the specific effect of pH on each metals.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2FMYpGH

Sensitive detection of bisphenol A by coupling solid phase microextraction based on monolayer graphene-coated Ag nanoparticles on Si fibers to surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Publication date: 1 September 2018
Source:Talanta, Volume 187
Author(s): Lu Qiu, Qi Liu, Xiaoliang Zeng, Qin Liu, Xiandeng Hou, Yunfei Tian, Li Wu
In this work, a facile method coupling solid phase microextraction (SPME) with surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was developed for the detection of trace bisphenol A (BPA). Monolayer graphene-coated Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were fabricated on the Si fiber, which made the Si fiber retain functions of both as a SERS-active substrate and SPME fiber to realize in situ rapid determination of BPA. The SERS-active SPME fiber was immersed in water to extract BPA prior to its detection by SERS. The relative standard deviation (RSD) values of the uniformity and the reproducibility of the SERS-active SPME fiber are 14% and 13%, respectively. The characteristic SERS intensity versus BPA concentration showed a linear relationship (R² = 0.958). Due to the combination of the SERS method with SPME, this method exhibits extremely high sensitivity and excellent stability for the detection of BPA, with a limit of detection as low as 1 μg L⁻¹. The method was successfully used for the determination of BPA in water samples with spiked recoveries ranging from 97% to 110%. Compared to the conventional SERS methods used for the detection of BPA, the present method not only retains the advantages of SERS but also provides several unique advantages including preconcentration of analytes, separation of analyte from sample matrices and improvement of sensitivity, thus making its promising application in environmental analysis of BPA.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2roHvcm

A turn-on fluorescent probe for simultaneous sensing of cysteine/homocysteine and hydrogen sulfide and its bioimaging applications

Publication date: 1 September 2018
Source:Talanta, Volume 187
Author(s): Fengzao Chen, Deman Han, Yuan Gao, Heng Liu, Shengfu Wang, Fangyu Zhou, Kaibin Li, Siqi Zhang, Wujun Shao, Yanling He
Hydrogen sulfide and biothiol molecules such as Cys, Hcy, and GSH play important roles in biological systems. Exploiting a probe to simultaneously detect and distinguish them is quite important. In this work, a versatile fluorescent probe that can simultaneously detect and discriminate Cys/Hcy and H2S is reported. The probe easily prepared by the Knoevenagel condensation of cyanoacetylindole with chlorinated phenyl-propenal possessed three potential sites that could react with biothiols and H2S. This probe also exhibited rapidity, high selectivity, and sensitivity for Cys/Hcy and H2S with distinct optical signal changes. The probe was able to display obvious fluorescence enhancement at 480 nm for Cys/Hcy and unique absorbance enhancement at 500 nm for H2S. We also demonstrated that the probe can be successfully applied to image Cys in MCF-7 cells suing a confocal fluorescence microscope.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2HSpwWR

Handling of highly coeluted chromatographic peaks by multivariate curve resolution for a complex bioanalytical problem: Quantitation of selected corticosteroids and mycophenolic acid in human plasma

Publication date: 1 September 2018
Source:Talanta, Volume 187
Author(s): Fatemeh Rezaei, Mahsa Sheikholeslami, Maryam Vosough, Marcel Maeder
The present study describes the analytical performance of a fast-elution protocol and smart methodology based on multivariate curve resolution-alternating least square (MCR-ALS) modeling of high performance liquid chromatography with photodiode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) data for simultaneous determination of prednisolone (Predl), methylprednisolone (Mpredl) and mycophenolic acid (MPA) in plasma samples. The LC method optimized at two isocratic reverse phase over a symmetric C18 column, a 60:40 (v/v) mixture of acetonitrile and water (0.02 M KH2PO4 (pH = 3.7) buffer solution) and a 10:70:20 (v/v/v) mixture of acetonitrile, methanol and water. The most challenges in the present study were the severe coelution of analytes of interest with each other and the matrix interferences, and high spectral similarity of selected corticosteroids, depending on the mobile phase method. To circumvent these drawbacks, the whole chromatographic runs were divided into two sections. Then, the matrix augmentation in spectra and retention time direction were implemented for the first and second regions, respectively. Highly acceptable resolution and quantification results were obtained. The average recoveries were 97.3% and 102.1% for Predl, 96% and 98.6% for Mpredl and 97.7% and 100.8% for MPA, using two mobile phase conditions, respectively. Accurate and precise results, elimination of expensive and time consuming sample pretreatment steps and a very short chromatographic run time, are among the advantages of the presented method.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2HSptu9

Improved lung recruitment and oxygenation during mandatory ventilation with a new expiratory ventilation assistance device: A controlled interventional trial in healthy pigs

BACKGROUND In contrast to conventional mandatory ventilation, a new ventilation mode, expiratory ventilation assistance (EVA), linearises the expiratory tracheal pressure decline. OBJECTIVE We hypothesised that due to a recruiting effect, linearised expiration oxygenates better than volume controlled ventilation (VCV). We compared the EVA with VCV mode with regard to gas exchange, ventilation volumes and pressures and lung aeration in a model of peri-operative mandatory ventilation in healthy pigs. DESIGN Controlled interventional trial. SETTING Animal operating facility at a university medical centre. ANIMALS A total of 16 German Landrace hybrid pigs. INTERVENTION The lungs of anaesthetised pigs were ventilated with the EVA mode (n=9) or VCV (control, n=7) for 5 h with positive end-expiratory pressure of 5 cmH2O and tidal volume of 8 ml kg−1. The respiratory rate was adjusted for a target end-tidal CO2 of 4.7 to 6 kPa. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Tracheal pressure, minute volume and arterial blood gases were recorded repeatedly. Computed thoracic tomography was performed to quantify the percentages of normally and poorly aerated lung tissue. RESULTS Two animals in the EVA group were excluded due to unstable ventilation (n=1) or unstable FiO2 delivery (n=1). Mean tracheal pressure and PaO2 were higher in the EVA group compared with control (mean tracheal pressure: 11.6 ± 0.4 versus 9.0 ± 0.3 cmH2O, P  0.99). Minute volume was lower in the EVA group compared with control (5.5 ± 0.2 versus 7.0 ± 1.0 l min−1, P = 0.02) with normoventilation in both groups (PaCO2 5.4 ± 0.3 versus 5.5 ± 0.3 kPa, P > 0.99). In the EVA group, the percentage of normally aerated lung tissue was higher (81.0 ± 3.6 versus 75.8 ± 3.0%, P = 0.017) and of poorly aerated lung tissue lower (9.5 ± 3.3 versus 15.7 ± 3.5%, P = 0.002) compared with control. CONCLUSION EVA ventilation improves lung aeration via elevated mean tracheal pressure and consequently improves arterial oxygenation at unaltered positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and peak inspiratory pressure (PIP). These findings suggest the EVA mode is a new approach for protective lung ventilation. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives License 4.0 (CCBY-NC-ND), where it is permissible to download and share the work provided it is properly cited. The work cannot be changed in any way or used commercially without permission from the journal. https://ift.tt/OBJ4xP Correspondence to Johannes Schmidt, MD, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Medical Centre – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany Tel: +49 761 270 26390; fax: +49 761 270 23280; e-mail: johannes.schmidt@uniklinik-freiburg.de Supplemental digital content is available for this article. Direct URL citations appear in the printed text and are provided in the HTML and PDF versions of this article on the journal's Website (https://ift.tt/2ylyqmW). © 2018 European Society of Anaesthesiology

https://ift.tt/2HUTrNU

Magnetic stimulation selectively affects pre-stimulus EEG microstates

Publication date: 1 August 2018
Source:NeuroImage, Volume 176
Author(s): Pierpaolo Croce, Filippo Zappasodi, Sara Spadone, Paolo Capotosto
Different electrophysiological (EEG) correlates may provide specific important assessment of the period that anticipates an imperative stimulus. Previous study of our group showed that a local (i.e. parietal) anticipatory EEG marker (i.e. the event related de-synchronization of the alpha rhythms; ERD) is selectively affected when transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is delivered over crucial nodes belonging to well-known human networks involved in different cognitive domains. Here, we investigated whether such distinction is also present in the whole brain activity as seen through the pre-stimulus microstate's topography, representing a global and reference-free measure of the neural activity. First, when subjects received a pseudo-stimulation (sham), we found two distinct pre-stimulus topographies during perceptual or memory task, respectively. Second, we reported that, during the visuo-spatial attention task, stimulation of left intraparietal sulcus (IPS), but not left angular gyrus (AG), significantly modifies the topography observed in the Sham condition. Conversely, stimulation of AG, but not IPS, changes the topography observed in the Sham condition during a semantic memory task. These findings provide the first causal evidence for the task and region specificity of the pre-stimulus EEG microstates, thus proposing this EEG index as of particular interest for the assessment of the period that precedes a predictable event.



https://ift.tt/2rqIxED

Simultaneous resting-state FDG-PET/fMRI in Alzheimer Disease: Relationship between glucose metabolism and intrinsic activity

Publication date: 1 August 2018
Source:NeuroImage, Volume 176
Author(s): Rocco Marchitelli, Marco Aiello, Arnaud Cachia, Mario Quarantelli, Carlo Cavaliere, Alfredo Postiglione, Gioacchino Tedeschi, Patrizia Montella, Graziella Milan, Marco Salvatore, Elena Salvatore, Jean Claude Baron, Sabina Pappatà
Simultaneously evaluating resting-state brain glucose metabolism and intrinsic functional activity has potential to impact the clinical neurosciences of Alzheimer Disease (AD). Indeed, integrating such combined information obtained in the same physiological setting may clarify how impairments in neuroenergetic and neuronal function interact and contribute to the mechanisms underlying AD. The present study used this multimodality approach to investigate, by means of a hybrid PET/MR scanner, the coupling between glucose consumption and intrinsic functional activity in 23 patients with AD-related cognitive impairment ranging from amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to mild-moderate AD (aMCI/AD), in comparison with a group of 23 healthy elderly controls. Between-group (Controls > Patients) comparisons were conducted on data from both imaging modalities using voxelwise 2-sample t-tests, corrected for partial-volume effects, head motion, age, gender and multiple tests. FDG-PET/fMRI relationships were assessed within and across subjects using Spearman partial correlations for three different resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) metrics sensitive to AD: fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (fALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo) and group independent component analysis with dual regression (gICA-DR). FDG and rs-fMRI metrics distinguished aMCI/AD from controls according to spatial patterns analogous to those found in stand-alone studies. Within-subject correlations were comparable across the three rs-fMRI metrics. Correlations were overall high in healthy controls (ρ = 0.80 ± 0.04), but showed a significant 17% reduction (p < 0.05) in aMCI/AD patients (ρ = 0.67 ± 0.05). Positive across-subject correlations were overall moderate (ρ = 0.33 ± 0.07) and consistent across rs-fMRI metrics. These were confined around AD-target posterior regions for metrics of functional connectivity (ReHo and gICA-DR). In contrast, FDG/fALFF correlations were distributed in the frontal gyrus, thalami and caudate nuclei. Taken together, these results support the presence of bioenergetic coupling between glucose utilization and rapid transmission of neural information in healthy ageing, which is substantially reduced in aMCI/AD, suggesting that abnormal glucose utilization is in some way linked to communication breakdown among brain regions impacted by the underlying pathological process.



https://ift.tt/2HSxcIK

Drug survival of secukinumab for moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis

British Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2jvLujI

Imaging in gastric anisakiasis

Publication date: July–August 2018
Source:Clinical Imaging, Volume 50
Author(s): Usha R. Lalchandani, William J. Weadock, Graham F. Brady, Ashish P. Wasnik
Gastrointestinal anisakiasis is an uncommon zoonotic parasitic infection caused by consumption of raw or undercooked seafood infected with nematodes of genus Anisakis. Given the non-specific clinical presentation of acute abdomen, nausea, and vomiting these patients are often subject to radiologic imaging. We present ultrasound and computed tomography imaging features in a case of gastric anisakiasis demonstrating characteristic features of diffuse gastric submucosal edema, perigastric stranding and trace ascites that helped to further elaborate the clinical history of uncooked fish consumption prompting timely endoscopic diagnosis and management.



https://ift.tt/2wjFEuY

Ultrasound requested by general practitioners or for symptoms unrelated to the thyroid gland may explain higher prevalence of thyroid nodules in females

Publication date: July–August 2018
Source:Clinical Imaging, Volume 50
Author(s): Ana Germano, Willian Schmitt, Pedro Almeida, Rui Mateus-Marques, Valeriano Leite
BackgroundA higher prevalence of thyroid nodules/carcinoma in females is well-known from the literature. The reasons for this difference are not fully explained. We intended to assess gender variation in the referral for ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) of thyroid nodules, to study reasons for gender referral differences, and to assess differences in nodules characteristics between genders.MethodsIncluded were 272 consecutive patients, with 290 nodules submitted to FNA. Patients were questioned on the reason why ultrasound (US) examination was required. Electronic medical records were reviewed. Nodules' ultrasound/cytological characteristics were assessed. Variables studied: referral cause; referral pattern (hospital-specialist versus general-practitioner); number of nodules; age, thyroid function; nodule size, TIRADS classification, resistive index, Doppler pattern, Bethesda categorisation. Variables were compared between males and females referred for FNA. Significant variables were assessed with logistic regression.ResultsOf the 272 patients, 215(79%) were women with a female:male referral ratio for FNA of 3.8:1. Non-parametric statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between genders in: thyroid function, nodule size, referral pattern and referral cause. Nodule size and thyroid function tests became non-significant in logistic regression. Cause and referral pattern remained significantly associated with gender. Referral by a general-practitioner was associated with a 2.6-fold increase in odds of referring a female. Causes unrelated to the thyroid were associated with a 3.2-fold increase in odds of female reference.ConclusionsA referral bias might be responsible for the higher rate of thyroid nodules in female patients, both due to referral by general practitioners and due to causes indirectly related to the thyroid gland.



https://ift.tt/2rlUqwq

Can red-light 5-aminolevulinic photodynamic therapy cure port wine stains on comb animal model?

Publication date: Available online 5 May 2018
Source:Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy
Author(s): Yongxian Lai, Haiyan Zhang, Minglei Wei, Jie Ji, Lei Shi, Peiru Wang, Bo Wang, Zheng Huang, Xiuli Wang
ObjectiveTo study the curative effect of red-light 5-Aminolevulinic photodynamic therapy(ALA-PDT) to port wine stains(PWS) on comb animal model.Methods160 male cocks were randomly divided into 16 groups. The ALA only group was given ALA only topical or systemic application. Light only groups were only given 630 nm red light irradiation with different light density. ALA-PDT groups were given red light after the application of topical or systemic ALA. PDL group was given PDL irradiation. The distribution of fluorescence in tissue after topical or systemic application of ALA was detected. The morphological changes, the pathological changes and the capillary reduction rate of the comb were observed after treatment for 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 days.ResultsThe PpIX fluorescence generated after topical and systemic application of ALA. In the topical ALA-PDT group at low light density 80 J/cm², the morphology and the histopathology had no obvious change. While under 160 J/cm² and 200 J/cm² light density, severe erosion and thick scab appeared. The histopathology showed epidermal necrosis and loss. The immunohistochemistry showed that there was no significant change in the number of capillaries under different light density (P > 0.05). In the systemic ALA-PDT group under low light density 80 J/cm², only partial erosion and thin scab was observed on the treatment side. With the increase of light density, thick charred crust and even scar was observed. The histopathology showed that there were different degrees of damage to dermal and epidermal tissues. And the immunohistochemistry showed the capillary reduced significantly in the treatment side (P < 0.01). In control group, the comb is ruddy and plump.ConclusionThese results suggest that either topical or systemic red-light ALA-PDT is not suitable treatment methods for PWS.



https://ift.tt/2rmyzoq

Effect of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy in open flap debridement in the treatment of peri-implantitis: A randomized controlled trial

Publication date: Available online 5 May 2018
Source:Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy
Author(s): Abdulaziz M. Albaker, Aws S. ArRejaie, Mohammed Alrabiah, Khulud Abdulrahman Al-Aali, Sameer Mokeem, Mohammed N. Alasqah, Fahim Vohra, Tariq Abduljabbar
BackgroundTo evaluate the effects of single application of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) as an adjunct to open flap debridement (OFD) and OFD alone in patients with peri-implantitis (PI).Materials and MethodsTwenty four patients with PI were divided into 2 groups receiving aPDT with OFD and OFD alone respectively. Peri-implant plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), pocket depth (PD) and marginal bone level (MBL) were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months post-therapy. Digital periapical radiographs were taken and viewed on a calibrated computer screen using a software for the assessment of MBL. Only single implant from each patient was included in the study protocol (intent to treat analysis).ResultsAt baseline, peri-implant PI, BOP, PD and MBL were comparable among individuals in aPDT and OFD groups. All patients had localized peri-implant PD ≥5 mm. At 6 months, aPDT and OFD significantly reduced peri-implant PI, BOP, PD and MBL. Similarly, after 12 months post-therapy, both groups reduced PI, BOP, PD and MBL. However, there was no significant difference between aPDT and OFD groups over time.ConclusionSingle application of aPDT as an adjunct to OFD does not provide additional benefit in improving clinical and radiographic peri-implant parameters in peri-implantitis.



https://ift.tt/2I0myf2

Age- and sex-dependent effects of methamphetamine on cognitive flexibility and 5-HT2C receptor localization in the orbitofrontal cortex of Sprague-Dawley rats

Publication date: 3 September 2018
Source:Behavioural Brain Research, Volume 349
Author(s): Emily R. Hankosky, Sara R. Westbrook, Rachel M. Haake, Jari Willing, Lori T. Raetzman, Janice M. Juraska, Joshua M. Gulley
Adolescents and females experience worse outcomes of drug use compared to adults and males. This could result from age- and sex-specific consequences of drug exposure on brain function and cognitive behavior. In the current study, we examined whether a history of intravenous methamphetamine (METH) self-administration impacted cognitive flexibility and 5-HT2CR localization in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) in an age- and sex-dependent manner. Strategy shifting was assessed in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats that had self-administered METH (0.08 mg/kg/inf) or received non-contingent infusions of saline during periadolescence or young adulthood. After all rats reached adulthood, they were tested in an operant strategy shifting task and their brains were subsequently analyzed using immunofluorescence to quantify co-localization of 5-HT2C receptors with parvalbumin interneurons in the OFC. We found that adolescent-onset females were the only group impaired during discrimination and reversal learning, but they did not exhibit changes in localization of 5-HT2C receptors. In contrast, adult-onset males exhibited a significant increase in co-localization of 5-HT2C receptors within parvalbumin interneurons in the left hemisphere of the OFC. These studies reveal that age and sex differences in drug-induced deficits in reversal learning and 5-HT2CR co-localization with parvalbumin interneurons are dissociable and can manifest independently. In addition, these data highlight the potential for certain treatment approaches to be more suitable in some populations compared to others, such as alleviating drug-induced cognitive deficits as a focus for treatment in adolescent females.



https://ift.tt/2jwHXla

Neonatal immune activation by lipopolysaccharide causes inadequate emotional responses to novel situations but no changes in anxiety or cognitive behavior in Wistar rats

Publication date: 3 September 2018
Source:Behavioural Brain Research, Volume 349
Author(s): Iveta Vojtechova, Tomas Petrasek, Kristyna Maleninska, Hana Brozka, Hana Tejkalova, Jiri Horacek, Ales Stuchlik, Karel Vales
Infection during the prenatal or neonatal stages of life is considered one of the major risk factors for the development of mental diseases such as schizophrenia or autism. However, the impacts of such an immune challenge on adult behavior are still not clear. In our study, we used a model of early postnatal immune activation by the application of bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to rat pups at a dose of 2 mg/kg from postnatal day (PD) 5 to PD 9. In adulthood, the rats were tested in a battery of tasks probing various aspects of behavior: spontaneous activity (open field test), social behavior (social interactions and female bedding exploration), anxiety (elevated plus maze), cognition (active place avoidance in Carousel) and emotional response (ultrasonic vocalization recording). Moreover, we tested sensitivity to acute challenge with MK-801, a psychotomimetic drug. Our results show that the application of LPS led to increased self-grooming in the female bedding exploration test and inadequate emotional reactions in Carousel maze displayed by ultrasonic vocalizations. However, it did not have serious consequences on exploration, locomotion, social behavior or cognition. Furthermore, exposition to MK-801 did not trigger social or cognitive deficits in the LPS-treated rats. We conclude that the emotional domain is the most sensitive to the changes induced by neonatal immune activation in rats, including a disrupted response to novel and stressful situations in early adulthood (similar to that observed in human patients suffering from schizophrenia or autism), while other aspects of tested behavior remain unaffected.



https://ift.tt/2HYtSb1

5-HT6 receptor agonist EMD386088 impairs behavioral flexibility and working memory

Publication date: 3 September 2018
Source:Behavioural Brain Research, Volume 349
Author(s): Dionisio A. Amodeo, Sophie Peterson, Alma Pahua, Rebekah Posadas, Armando Hernandez, Emily Hefner, David Qi, Jesus Vega
Serotonin 6 (5-HT6) receptors are primarily expressed in the central nervous system and to an even further extent brain regions responsible for learning and memory. Recent studies have demonstrated 5-HT6 receptor involvement in pathophysiological processes highlighting their therapeutic possibilities. Most research concerning the effects of 5-HT6 receptor modulation has focused on blockade despite paradoxical findings that 5-HT6 agonists and antagonists can both have pro-cognitive effects. The current experiments examine the effects of the 5-HT6 receptor agonist EMD386088 on behavioral flexibility and working memory. C57BL/6J mice received systemic injections of either 0, 2, or 4 mg/kg EMD386088 before being tested on probabilistic reversal learning, spontaneous alternation, and locomotor activity. In the probabilistic reversal learning task, the high dose of 4 mg/kg significantly impaired performance requiring more trials to reach criterion. The same dose significantly increased perseverative type errors, suggesting that the probabilistic reversal learning impairment was due to an inability to inhibit the previously learned choice pattern, rather than maintaining the new optimal choice pattern. Acute EMD386088 administration at 2 mg/kg significantly impaired spontaneous alternation performance, while the high dose of 4 mg/kg did not reach significance. These learning impairments were not due to an overall locomotor impairment as evidenced by comparable locomotor activity scores. Acute systemic 5-HT6 receptor activation with EMD386088 led to impaired behavior flexibility and working memory performance. Current findings support previous research suggesting that novel therapeutics directed at down regulation of 5-HT6 receptors may be effective in attenuating working memory and behavioral flexibility impairments commonly found in neuropsychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer's and schizophrenia.



https://ift.tt/2jyKPhl

Gene expression of Dio2 (thyroid hormone converting enzyme) in telencephalon is linked with predisposed biological motion preference in domestic chicks

Publication date: 3 September 2018
Source:Behavioural Brain Research, Volume 349
Author(s): Yuri Takemura, Shinji Yamaguchi, Naoya Aoki, Momoko Miura, Koichi J. Homma, Toshiya Matsushima
Filial imprinting leads to the formation of social attachment if training is performed during a brief sensitive period after hatching. We found that thyroid hormone (3,5,3′-triiodothyronine, T3) acts as a critical determining factor of the sensitive period in domestic chicks. Imprinting upregulates gene expression of the converting enzyme (Dio2, type 2 iodothyronine deiodinase) in the telencephalon, leading to increased brain T3 content. If systemically applied, T3 facilitates imprinting in aged chicks even after the sensitive period is over. Imprinting is also associated with the rapid development of visual perception. Exposure to motion pictures induces a predisposed preference to Johansson's biological motion (BM), and those individuals with higher BM preference are more easily imprinted. Here, we examined whether Dio2 expression is also linked with BM predisposition. Chicks were trained by a rotating red block, and tested for imprinting (experiment 1) and BM preference (experiment 2). To examine the time courses of behavioural and physiological processes, Dio2 expression in telencephalon was compared among three groups: naïve control chicks, and chicks trained for a short (0.5 h) or long period (2 h). In experiment 1, higher Dio2 expression appeared in the 2-h group than in the 0.5-h/control groups, but it was not correlated with the individual imprinting score. In experiment 2, a significant positive correlation appeared between Dio2 expression and BM preference in 2-h-trained chicks. Memory priming by T3 is therefore functionally linked to BM preference induction, leading to successful imprinting to natural objects even when they are initially exposed to artificial objects.



https://ift.tt/2HXAZAq

Physiological identification of cortico-striatal projection neurons for song control in Bengalese finches

Publication date: 3 September 2018
Source:Behavioural Brain Research, Volume 349
Author(s): Neal A. Hessler, Kazuo okanoya
The avian song system is a group of brain areas specialized for vocal learning and production of song. A major cortical control area, HVC, projects both to a motor output circuit and to a striatal area in the anterior forebrain pathway. These projections are made by two groups of neurons, with mainly distinct roles in either programming vocal production or regulating vocal plasticity. In order to distinguish these two types of projection neurons in singing birds, we recorded unit activity in HVC of anesthetized birds, while stimulating in the anterior forebrain nucleus Area X. HVC units identified in this way had a distinct spike waveform, with a much longer duration positive peak than an initial negative one. We further found that units with a very similar spike waveform were phasically active during singing, firing at specific points of a limited number of song syllables. These units were also less active when birds only heard their own song, during the same syllables. While similar results from anesthetized and awake recordings have been reported in previous studies, the combination of both types of experiments here may be useful as a basis for identifying HVC neurons projecting to Area X based on their spike waveforms, and aid further study of their role in song learning and control.



https://ift.tt/2rniVt4

The effects of acute foot shock stress on empathy levels in rats

Publication date: 3 September 2018
Source:Behavioural Brain Research, Volume 349
Author(s): Aslı Karakilic, Servet Kizildag, Sevim Kandis, Guven Guvendi, Basar Koc, Gamze B. Camsari, Ulas M. Camsari, Mehmet Ates, Sevil Gonenc Arda, Nazan Uysal
Empathy defined as the ability to understand and the share the feelings, thoughts, and attitudes of another, is an important skill in survival and reproduction. Among many factors that affect empathy include psychological stress, anxiety states. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of acute psychological stress on empathic behavior and its association with oxytocin and vasopressin levels in amygdala and prefrontal cortex. Rats were subjected to 0.2 mA (low) and 1.6 mA (high) intensity of foot shock stress for duration of 20 min. Empathic behavior was found to be improved as a response to low intensity stress, but not to high intensity stress. As a response to lower intensity stress, vasopressin was increased in prefrontal cortex and amygdala; oxytocin was increased in only prefrontal cortex, and corticosterone levels increased in general. Anxiety indicators did not change in low intensity stress group yet; high intensity stress group demonstrated a lesser degree of anxiety response. High intensity stress group stayed unexpectedly more active in middle area of elevated plus maze test equipment, which may support impaired executive decision making abilities in the setting of high anxiety states. Further research is needed to investigate gender effects, the role of dopaminergic system and other stress related pathways in acute stress.



https://ift.tt/2HXtIR5

Spatiotemporal commonalities of fronto-parietal activation in attentional orienting triggered by supraliminal and subliminal gaze cues: An event-related potential study

Publication date: Available online 4 May 2018
Source:Biological Psychology
Author(s): Shota Uono, Wataru Sato, Reiko Sawada, Takanori Kochiyama, Toichi Motomi
Eye gaze triggers attentional shifts with and without conscious awareness. It remains unclear whether the spatiotemporal patterns of electric neural activity are the same for conscious and unconscious attentional shifts. Thus, the present study recorded event-related potentials (ERPs) and evaluated the neural activation involved in attentional orienting induced by subliminal and supraliminal gaze cues. Nonpredictive gaze cues were presented in the central field of vision, and participants were asked to detect a subsequent peripheral target. The mean reaction time was shorter for congruent gaze cues than for incongruent gaze cues under both presentation conditions, indicating that both types of cues reliably trigger attentional orienting. The ERP analysis revealed that averted versus straight gaze induced greater negative deflection in the bilateral fronto-central and temporal regions between 278–344 ms under both supraliminal and subliminal presentation conditions. Supraliminal cues, irrespective of gaze direction, induced a greater negative amplitude than did subliminal cues at the right posterior cortices at a peak of approximately 170 ms and in the 200–300 ms. These results suggest that similar spatial and temporal fronto-parietal activity is involved in attentional orienting triggered by both supraliminal and subliminal gaze cues, although inputs from different visual processing routes (cortical and subcortical regions) may trigger activity in the attentional network.



https://ift.tt/2Ik9W5M

Interactive effects of early life stress and CACNA1C genotype on cortisol awakening response

Publication date: Available online 4 May 2018
Source:Biological Psychology
Author(s): K. Klaus, K. Butler, H. Gutierrez, S.J. Durrant, K. Pennington
The rs1006737 (A/G) single nucleotide polymorphism within the gene encoding the Cav1.2 subunit of the L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel (CACNA1C) has been strongly implicated in psychiatric disorders. In addition, calcium channels are sensitive to the effects of glucocorticoids and functional variation may contribute to altered stress responsivity. This study aimed to investigate the role of early life stress (ELS) and its interaction with CACNA1C rs1006737 in affecting the cortisol awakening response (CAR), an indicator of HPA-axis function. Salivary cortisol was measured in 103 healthy adult males (aged 21-63) on two consecutive days at awakening and 30 minutes later. The ELS measure investigated self-reported adverse life events prior to age 17. The results revealed a marginally significant main effect of CACNA1C, a significant main effect of ELS, and a significant genotype-by-ELS interaction on the CAR, whereby non-risk allele carriers (GG) who had experienced early adversity showed higher CAR compared to the other groups. Further exploratory analyses showed that this interaction may have arisen from individuals who had experienced ELS before adolescence (prior to age 13). This study is the first to provide evidence that the effect of ELS on CAR may be partially moderated via CACNA1C rs1006737 genotype, whereby the heightened CAR in the GG-ELS group may be an indicator of mental health resilience in response to ELS.



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