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ELife Jun 2024Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by motor impairments caused by degeneration of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. In addition to these...
Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by motor impairments caused by degeneration of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. In addition to these symptoms, PD patients often suffer from non-motor comorbidities including sleep and psychiatric disturbances, which are thought to depend on concomitant alterations of serotonergic and noradrenergic transmission. A primary locus of serotonergic neurons is the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), providing brain-wide serotonergic input. Here, we identified electrophysiological and morphological parameters to classify serotonergic and dopaminergic neurons in the murine DRN under control conditions and in a PD model, following striatal injection of the catecholamine toxin, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Electrical and morphological properties of both neuronal populations were altered by 6-OHDA. In serotonergic neurons, most changes were reversed when 6-OHDA was injected in combination with desipramine, a noradrenaline (NA) reuptake inhibitor, protecting the noradrenergic terminals. Our results show that the depletion of both NA and dopamine in the 6-OHDA mouse model causes changes in the DRN neural circuitry.
Topics: Animals; Dopaminergic Neurons; Serotonergic Neurons; Dorsal Raphe Nucleus; Mice; Disease Models, Animal; Oxidopamine; Parkinsonian Disorders; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Desipramine; Norepinephrine
PubMed: 38940422
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.90278 -
Neurobiology of Language (Cambridge,... 2024In computational models of reading, written words can be read using print-to-sound and/or print-to-meaning pathways. Neuroimaging data associate dorsal stream regions...
In computational models of reading, written words can be read using print-to-sound and/or print-to-meaning pathways. Neuroimaging data associate dorsal stream regions (left posterior occipitotemporal cortex, intraparietal cortex, dorsal inferior frontal gyrus [dIFG]) with the print-to-sound pathway and ventral stream regions (left anterior fusiform gyrus, middle temporal gyrus) with the print-to-meaning pathway. In 69 typical adults, we investigated whether resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) between the visual word form area (VWFA) and dorsal and ventral regions correlated with phonological (nonword reading, nonword repetition, spoonerisms), lexical-semantic (vocabulary, sensitivity to morpheme units in reading), and general literacy (word reading, spelling) skills. VWFA activity was temporally correlated with activity in both dorsal and ventral reading regions. In pre-registered whole-brain analyses, spoonerisms performance was positively correlated with RSFC between the VWFA and left dorsal regions (dIFG, superior parietal and intraparietal cortex). In exploratory region-of-interest analyses, VWFA-dIFG connectivity was also positively correlated with nonword repetition, spelling, and vocabulary. Connectivity between the VWFA and ventral stream regions was not associated with performance on any behavioural measure, either in whole-brain or region-of-interest analyses. Our results suggest that tasks such as spoonerisms and spellings, which are both complex (i.e., involve multiple subprocesses) and have high between-subject variability, provide greater opportunity for observing resting-state brain-behaviour associations. However, the complexity of these tasks limits the conclusions we can draw about the specific mechanisms that drive these associations. Future research would benefit from constructing latent variables from multiple tasks tapping the same reading subprocess.
PubMed: 38939731
DOI: 10.1162/nol_a_00146 -
Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences 2024Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) leads to memory and learning impairments associated with degeneration and gliosis in the hippocampus. Treatment with physical...
BACKGROUND
Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) leads to memory and learning impairments associated with degeneration and gliosis in the hippocampus. Treatment with physical exercise carries different therapeutic benefits for each sex. We investigated the effects of acrobatic training on astrocyte remodeling in the CA1 and CA3 subfields of the hippocampus and spatial memory impairment in male and female rats at different stages of the two-vessel occlusion (2VO) model.
METHODS
Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups of males and females: 2VO acrobatic, 2VO sedentary, sham acrobatic, and sham sedentary. The acrobatic training was performed for 4 weeks prior to the 2VO procedure. Brain samples were collected for morphological and biochemical analysis at 3 and 7 days after 2VO. The dorsal hippocampi were removed and prepared for Western blot quantification of Akt, p-Akt, COX IV, cleaved caspase-3, PARP, and GFAP. GFAP immunofluorescence was performed on slices of the hippocampus to count astrocytes and apply the Sholl's circle technique. The Morris water maze was run after 45 days of 2VO.
RESULTS
Acutely, the trained female rats showed increased PARP expression, and the 2VO-trained rats of both sexes presented increased GFAP levels in Western blot. Training, mainly in males, induced an increase in the number of astrocytes in the CA1 subfield. The 2VO rats presented branched astrocytes, while acrobatic training prevented branching. However, the 2VO-induced spatial memory impairment was partially prevented by the acrobatic training.
CONCLUSION
Acrobatic training restricted the astrocytic remodeling caused by 2VO in the CA1 and CA3 subfields of the hippocampus. The improvement in spatial memory was associated with more organized glial scarring in the trained rats and better cell viability observed in females.
PubMed: 38939055
DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2024.1375561 -
Ultrasound International Open 2024To introduce the cranial-dorsal-hip angle (∠CDH) as a novel quantitative tool for assessing fetal position in the first trimester and to validate its feasibility...
To introduce the cranial-dorsal-hip angle (∠CDH) as a novel quantitative tool for assessing fetal position in the first trimester and to validate its feasibility for future AI applications. 2520 first-trimester fetal NT exams with 2582 CRL images (January-August 2022) were analyzed at a tertiary hospital as the pilot group. Additionally, 1418 cases with 1450 fetal CRL images (September-December 2022) were examined for validation. Three expert sonographers defined a standard for fetal positions. ∠CDH measurements, conducted by two ultrasound technicians, were validated for consistency using Bland-Altman plots and the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). This method allowed for categorizing fetal positions as hyperflexion, neutral, and hyperextension based on ∠CDH. Comparative accuracy was assessed against Ioannou, Wanyonyi, and Roux methods using the weighted Kappa coefficient (k value). The pilot group comprised 2186 fetal CRL images, and the validation group included 1193 images. Measurement consistency was high (ICCs of 0.993; P<0.001). The established 95% reference range for ∠CDH in the neutral fetal position was 118.3° to 137.8°. The ∠CDH method demonstrated superior accuracy over the Ioannou, Wanyonyi, and Roux methods in both groups, with accuracy rates of 94.5% (k values: 0.874, 95%CI: 0.852-0.896) in the pilot group, and 92.6% (k values: 0.838, 95%CI: 0.806-0.871) in the validation group. The ∠CDH method has been validated as a highly reproducible and accurate technique for first-trimester fetal position assessment. This sets the stage for its potential future integration into intelligent assessment models.
PubMed: 38938987
DOI: 10.1055/a-2337-0078 -
JAAD Case Reports Jul 2024
PubMed: 38938698
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdcr.2024.05.007 -
ZooKeys 2024The genus Hirschmann, 1989 (Mesostigmata: Uropodina: Urodinychidae) is resurrected for species of the -group. This genus differs from the other taxa of Berlese, 1903...
The genus Hirschmann, 1989 (Mesostigmata: Uropodina: Urodinychidae) is resurrected for species of the -group. This genus differs from the other taxa of Berlese, 1903 sensu lato based on the shape of the idiosoma and the caudal and dorsal setae. Three species from the -group are transferred to the genus , as (Hirschmann, 1973), , (Hiramatsu, 1980), and (Hiramatsu, 1980), The other seven species from this species group are transferred to , as (Vitzthum, 1926), , (Hiramatsu, 1985), , (Hiramatsu & Hirschmann, 1978), , (Hiramatsu & Hirschmann, 1978), , (Hiramatsu, 1980), , (Hiramatsu & Hirschmann, 1978), and (Hiramatsu & Hirschmann, 1978), The new genus differs from by the shape of the idiosoma and the shape of marginal and dorsal setae. Six species occur in the Oriental Realm and only one species is known from the Neotropical region. The present paper contains the description of a second Neotropical species of ( ) which was found in Peru. The new species differs from its Neotropical congener in the dorsal and marginal setation.
PubMed: 38938266
DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1205.125164 -
Equine Veterinary Journal Jun 2024There is controversy about the clinical relevance of congenital variants of the ventral laminae of the sixth (C6) and seventh (C7) cervical vertebrae and their...
Congenital variants of the ventral laminae of the sixth and seventh cervical vertebrae are not associated with clinical signs or other radiological abnormalities of the cervicothoracic region in Warmblood horses.
BACKGROUND
There is controversy about the clinical relevance of congenital variants of the ventral laminae of the sixth (C6) and seventh (C7) cervical vertebrae and their relationship with other radiological abnormalities.
OBJECTIVES
To document the prevalence of congenital variants of C6 and C7 and that of other radiological abnormalities from C6 to the second thoracic vertebra (T2).
STUDY DESIGN
Cross-sectional.
METHODS
The study included Warmblood horses ≥3 years of age undergoing clinical assessment at two referral institutions: 127 control horses and 96 cases (neurologic, neck pain or stiffness, or neck-related forelimb lameness). All horses underwent a standardised orthopaedic and neurologic examination. Lateral-lateral and lateral 45°-55° ventral-lateral dorsal (left to right and right to left) radiographic views of C5 to T2 were acquired and assessed blinded to the horse's clinical category using a predetermined grading system.
RESULTS
The ventral profile of C7 was abnormal in 54 horses (24.2%). Cases were less likely to have congenital variants than control horses, p = 0.0002, relative risk (RR): 0.63 (95% confidence intervals [CIs]: 0.4, 1.0). There was no association between the presence of a congenital variant of C7 and the presence of modelling of the articular processes (APs) of C6-C7, C7-T1 or T1-T2. Cases were more likely to have severe modelling of the APs at C6-C7, p = 0.01, RR: 1.94, CI: 1.1, 3.5 and C7-T1, p = 0.04, RR: 1.97, CI: 1.2, 3.2 compared with control horses.
MAIN LIMITATIONS
Radiographs were read by one assessor independently at each institution.
CONCLUSIONS
There was no association between the presence of congenital variants of C7 and any other radiological findings. Congenital variants occurred less frequently in cases compared with control horses. There was no association between the presence or absence of a congenital variant and the type of case.
PubMed: 38938125
DOI: 10.1111/evj.14127 -
Zhonghua Wai Ke Za Zhi [Chinese Journal... Jun 2024To examine the feasibility and clinical effect of all-inside endoscopic procedure through two portals combined with double-hemisection Achilles tendon lengthening for...
[Analysis of the effect of all-inside endoscopic procedure through two portals combined with double-hemisection Achilles tendon lengthening for Achilles tendon contracture].
To examine the feasibility and clinical effect of all-inside endoscopic procedure through two portals combined with double-hemisection Achilles tendon lengthening for Achilles tendon contracture. This is a retrospective case series study. From February 2021 to February 2023, the clinical data of 24 patients (30 feet) with Achilles tendon contracture treated with all-inside endoscopic procedure through two portals combined with double-hemisection Achilles tendon lengthening were analyzed retrospectively. There were 10 males and 14 females, aged (32.8±16.1) years (range: 9 to 62 years). There were 8 cases of left side only, 10 cases of right side only and 6 cases of bilateral. There were 14 cases (16 feet) of foot varus, 4 cases (6 feet) of foot valgus, and 6 cases (8 feet) without deformity. All patients underwent all-inside endoscopic procedure through two portals combined with double-hemisection Achilles tendon lengthening. The surgical effects were evaluated using the maximum dorsal extension angle of ankle joint in knee extension position, the visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain, the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score(AOFAS-AH). Paired sample t test was used to compare the scores before and after operation. All patients successfully completed the operation, and the operation time of Achilles tendon lengthening was (22.0±5.7)minutes (range: 15 to 35 minutes) and the intraoperative blood loss was (6.5±2.7)ml (range: 2 to 15 ml). All patients primarily healing without any complications such as sural nerve injury, Achilles tendon rupture, important blood vessel injury, and obvious decrease of lift heel strength of achilles tendon. All 24 patients were followed up for (17.2±4.5) months (range: 12 to 28 months). One patient suffered from lift heel's weakness in one foot after operation, and recovered after repeated lift heel functional exercises. The ankle dorsiflexion function of two patients with calf triceps spasm were not improved after operation, and it was obviously improved after botulinum toxin injection. At the last follow-up, the maximum dorsal extension angle of ankle joint in knee extension position increased from -9.2°±7.6°(range:-25° to 5°) preoperatively to 14.5°±7.0°(range:0° to 28°)(=24.83, <0.01); the VAS score was reduced from (4.5±1.7) points (range:1 to 8 points) preoperatively to (1.5±0.9) points (range:0 to 3 points) (=9.53, <0.01), the AOFAS-AH was increased from (60.5±11.4)points (range:38 to 85 points) to (90.8±5.4) points (range:80-100 points)(=14.21, <0.01). All-inside endoscopic procedure through two portals combined with double-hemisection Achilles tendon lengthening for Achilles tendon contracture not only provides Achilles tendon lengthening, but also avoids complications such as Achilles tendon rupture and sural nerve injury. It is an effective method for the treatment of Achilles tendon contracture.
PubMed: 38937127
DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112139-20240303-00104 -
Current Topics in Developmental Biology 2024A simple machine is a basic of device that takes mechanical advantage to apply force. Animals and plants self-assemble through the operation of a wide variety of simple... (Review)
Review
A simple machine is a basic of device that takes mechanical advantage to apply force. Animals and plants self-assemble through the operation of a wide variety of simple machines. Embryos of different species actuate these simple machines to drive the geometric transformations that convert a disordered mass of cells into organized structures with discrete identities and function. These transformations are intrinsically coupled to sequential and overlapping steps of self-organization and self-assembly. The processes of self-organization have been explored through the molecular composition of cells and tissues and their information networks. By contrast, efforts to understand the simple machines underlying self-assembly must integrate molecular composition with the physical principles of mechanics. This primer is concerned with effort to elucidate the operation of these machines, focusing on the "problem" of morphogenesis. Advances in understanding self-assembly will ultimately connect molecular-, subcellular-, cellular- and meso-scale functions of plants and animals and their ability to interact with larger ecologies and environmental influences.
Topics: Animals; Morphogenesis; Plants; Seeds
PubMed: 38937032
DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2024.05.004 -
In Vivo (Athens, Greece) 2024Various devices for non-invasive body shape correction are being developed along with the growth of the beauty industry. Radiofrequency (RF) can selectively reduce...
BACKGROUND/AIM
Various devices for non-invasive body shape correction are being developed along with the growth of the beauty industry. Radiofrequency (RF) can selectively reduce subcutaneous fat without causing skin damage. The efficacy of the procedure can be improved by applying RF to a large area simultaneously with multiple handpieces. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of a new RF device with multi-channel handpieces.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In ex vivo experiments, the RF device was used to treat porcine tissue comprising the skin, subcutaneous, and muscle layers. The device's safety was evaluated by temperature measurements of porcine tissue and histological analysis. In in vivo experiments, the dorsal skin of pigs was treated with the RF device. The safety and efficacy of the device were evaluated by measuring the skin temperature, subcutaneous fat layer thickness, and conducting histological analysis.
RESULTS
The skin temperature did not exceed the set temperature during treatment, and skin damage was not observed in histologic analysis in both ex vivo and in vivo experiments. In in vivo experiments, the subcutaneous fat layer thickness and subcutaneous lipocyte size were decreased after treatment. In addition, the fibrous tissue between subcutaneous lipocytes was increased in the RF treatment group compared with the non-treatment group.
CONCLUSION
The RF device used in this study effectively reduced the size of subcutaneous lipocytes and increased fibrous tissue without skin damage. Therefore, the safe and effective use of this device for non-invasive fat reduction may be possible in clinical settings.
Topics: Animals; Swine; Subcutaneous Fat; Radiofrequency Therapy; Skin; Body Contouring; Adipose Tissue; Skin Temperature
PubMed: 38936950
DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13625