Distinct phenotypes of spontaneous activity and induction of amphetamine sensitization in inbred Roman high- and low-avoidance rats: Vulnerability and protection

The psychogenetically selected Roman high- (RHA) and low-avoidance (RLA) rats are being proposed as a valuable animal model of individual vulnerability to the two distinct neurobiological mechanisms of behavioral sensitization to psychostimulants, namely induction and expression. Most hallmarks of their divergent phenotypes are also found in the inbred RHA (RHA-I) and RLA (RLA-I) strains. For instance, they differ in the expression of sensitization to amphetamine. However, the pattern of spontaneous activity of the inbred rats seems to differ from that of outbred Roman strains. The present work shows the relevance of analyzing spontaneous activity as a covariant in order to determine the significance of day effect in the induction of behavioral sensitization to amphetamine (regime: 11 days, 1 mg/kg, i.p.) in the inbred strains and, for comparison, the standard low activity Sprague-Dawley (SD) strain. Our results also confirm that, in parallel to the outbred strains, only inbred RHA rats showed sensitization during the induction phase, here detectable from day 9 of treatment, while RLA-I and SD strains did not. Inbred RLA rats provide an interesting model to study individual resistance to sensitization, with nuances due to their underlying high spontaneous activity phenotype.

Database and Knowledge Base Integration – A Data Mapping Method for Arden Syntax Knowledge Modules

One of the most important categories of decision-support systems in medicine are data driven systems where the inference engine is linked to a database. It is, therefore, important to find methods that facilitate the implementation of database queries referred to in the knowledge modules. A method is described for linking clinical databases to a knowledge base with Arden Syntax modules. The method is based on a query meta-database including templates for SQL queries which is maintained by a database administrator. During knowledge module authoring the medical expert refers only to a code in the query meta-database; no knowledge is needed about the database model or the naming of attributes and relations. The method uses standard tools, such as C++ and ODBC, which makes it possible to implement the method at many platforms and to link to different clinical databases in a standardized way.

Long-term Treatment with Low-Dose Caffeine Worsens BPSD-Like Profile in 3xTg-AD Mice Model of Alzheimer's Disease and Affects Mice with Normal Aging

Coffee or caffeine has recently been suggested as prophylaxis for dementia. Although memory problems are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease, this dementia is also characterized by neuropsychiatric symptoms called Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD). The impact of preventive/therapeutic strategies on both cognitive and non-cognitive symptoms can be addressed in the 3xTg-AD mice, since they exhibit cognitive but also BPSD-like profiles. Here, we studied the long-term effects of a low dose of caffeine in male 3xTg-AD mice and as compared to age-matched non-transgenic (NTg) counterparts with normal aging. Animals were treated (water or caffeine in drinking water) from adulthood (6 months of age) until middle-aged (13 months of age), that in 3xTg-AD mice correspond to onset of cognitive impairment and advanced stages, respectively. The low caffeine dosing used (0.3 mg/ml) was previously found to give a plasma concentration profile in mice roughly equivalent to that of a human coffee drinker. There were significant effects of caffeine on most behavioral variables, especially those related to neophobia and other anxiety-like behaviors, emotionality, and cognitive flexibility. The 3xTg-AD and NTg mice were differently influenced by caffeine. Overall, the increase of neophobia and other anxiety-related behaviors resulted in an exacerbation of BPSD-like profile in 3xTg-AD mice. Learning and memory, strongly influenced by anxiety in 3xTg-AD mice, got little benefit from caffeine, only shown after a detailed analysis of navigation strategies. The worsened pattern in NTg mice and the use of search strategies in 3xTg-AD mice make both groups more similar. Circadian motor activity showed genotype differences, which were found to be enhanced by caffeine. Selective effects of caffeine on NTg were found in the modulation of behaviors related to emotional profile and risk assessment. Caffeine normalized splenomegaly of 3xTg-AD mice, a physical indicator of their impaired peripheral immune system, and trended to increase their corticosterone levels. Our observations of adverse caffeine effects in an Alzheimer's disease model together with previous clinical observations suggest that an exacerbation of BPSD-like symptoms may partly interfere with the beneficial cognitive effects of caffeine. These results are relevant when coffee-derived new potential treatments for dementia are to be devised and tested.

Structural and electronic properties of V2O5 and their tuning by doping with 3d elements – modelling using the DFT+U method and dispersion correction

V₂O₅ is accurately described using the PBE+U+D2 method which is used to analyze the effects of V₂O₅ doping with 3d elements

Glistenings, anterior/posterior capsular opacification and incidence of Nd:YAG laser treatments with two aspheric hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses - a long-term intra-individual study

PURPOSE

To compare two hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) regarding long-term anterior/posterior capsular opacification (ACO/PCO) development and need for neodymium:Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (Nd:YAG) laser treatment due to visually disturbing PCO, and to study development of glistenings in the IOL materials.

METHODS

In a prospective, randomized, intra-individual, comparative trial, 50 cataract patients received either an AcrySof IQ^® SN60WF (Alcon, Fort Worth, TX, USA) or a Tecnis^® ZCB00 (Abbott Medical Optics, Santa Ana, CA, USA) IOL in the first operated eye, and the second eye received the IOL type not implanted in the first eye. Anterior/posterior capsular opacification (ACO/PCO) and fibrosis were monitored with slit-lamp photography and semi-automated digital analysis 2 and 3 years postoperatively. Glistenings were semi-quantitatively assessed in slit-lamp photographs. Nd:YAG laser treatment for visually disturbing PCO was monitored.

RESULTS

Visual outcomes were similar for the two IOLs. Anterior capsular fibrosis and/or opacification developed more often in SN60WF eyes. Mean PCO area percentage was larger in ZCB00 eyes 3 years after surgery, but severity score did not differ with statistical significance between the two IOLs. Six ZCB00 eyes and 2 SN60WF eyes underwent Nd:YAG laser treatment during a mean of 4 years 8 months after surgery. This difference was not statistically significant. A high amount of glistenings developed in most SN60WF IOLs, while only few ZCB00 IOLs displayed a low degree of glistenings.

CONCLUSION

Visual outcomes, PCO development over time and need for Nd:YAG laser treatment were similar for the two IOLs. Anterior capsule fibrosis/contraction and glistenings were more pronounced with the SN60WF IOL.

Speech Recognition and Cognitive Skills in Bimodal Cochlear Implant Users

PURPOSE

To examine the relation between speech recognition and cognitive skills in bimodal cochlear implant (CI) and hearing aid users.

METHOD

Seventeen bimodal CI users (28-74 years) were recruited to the study. Speech recognition tests were carried out in quiet and in noise. The cognitive tests employed included the Reading Span Test and the Trail Making Test (Daneman & Carpenter, 1980; Reitan, 1958, 1992), measuring working memory capacity and processing speed and executive functioning, respectively. Data were analyzed using paired-sample t tests, Pearson correlations, and partial correlations controlling for age.

RESULTS

The results indicate that performance on some cognitive tests predicts speech recognition and that bimodal listening generates a significant improvement in speech in quiet compared to unilateral CI listening. However, the current results also suggest that bimodal listening requires different cognitive skills than does unimodal CI listening. This is likely to relate to the relative difficulty of having to integrate 2 different signals and then map the integrated signal to representations stored in the long-term memory.

CONCLUSIONS

Even though participants obtained speech recognition benefit from bimodal listening, the results suggest that processing bimodal stimuli involves different cognitive skills than does unimodal conditions in quiet. Thus, clinically, it is important to consider this when assessing treatment outcomes.

Integrated approach for selecting efficient Saccharomyces cerevisiae for industrial lignocellulosic fermentations: Importance of yeast chassis linked to process conditions

In this work, four robust yeast chassis isolated from industrial environments were engineered with the same xylose metabolic pathway. The recombinant strains were physiologically characterized in synthetic xylose and xylose-glucose medium, on non-detoxified hemicellulosic hydrolysates of fast-growing hardwoods (Eucalyptus and Paulownia) and agricultural residues (corn cob and wheat straw) and on Eucalyptus hydrolysate at different temperatures. Results show that the co-consumption of xylose-glucose was dependent on the yeast background. Moreover, heterogeneous results were obtained among different hydrolysates and temperatures for each individual strain pointing to the importance of designing from the very beginning a tailor-made yeast considering the specific raw material and process.

Colony PCR

Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae are currently the two most important organisms in synthetic biology. E.coli is almost always used for fundamental DNA manipulation while yeast is the simplest host system for studying eukaryotic gene expression and performing large scale DNA assembly. Yeast expression studies may also require altering of the chromosomal DNA by homologous recombination. All these studies require the verification of the expected DNA sequence and the fastest method of screening is colony PCR, which is direct PCR of DNA in cells without prior DNA purification. Colony PCR is hampered by the difficulty of releasing DNA into the PCR mix and the presence of PCR inhibitors. We hereby present one protocol for E. coli and two protocols for S. cerevisiae differing in efficiency and complexity as well as an overview of past and possible future developments of efficient S. cerevisiae colony PCR protocols.

Long-term treatment with methylphenidate for fatigue after traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVES

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) may cause long-lasting post-concussive symptoms, such as mental fatigue and concentration difficulties, and this may become the main hindrance for returning to work and studies. There is currently no effective treatment for long-lasting mental fatigue. In this hypothesis generating study, the long-term effects of methylphenidate on mental fatigue, cognitive function, and safety were assessed.

MATERIALS & METHODS

Thirty participants who suffered from long-term post-concussion symptoms after a mild TBI or moderate TBI and who had reported positive effects with methylphenidate during an initial phase of this follow-up study were treated with methylphenidate for a further six months.

RESULTS

After six-month follow-up, effects on Mental Fatigue Scale (MFS), depression, anxiety, and cognitive function (processing speed, attention, working memory) were significantly improved compared to baseline data (P < 0.001, respectively). Heart rate was significantly increased (P = 0.01), while blood pressure was not changed.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals suffering from prolonged symptoms after TBI reported reduced mental fatigue and improved cognitive functions with long-term methylphenidate treatment. It is suggested that methylphenidate can be a treatment option for long-term mental fatigue and cognitive impairment after a TBI, but further randomized control research is warranted.

Increased risk of hip fracture among spouses-evidence of a homogamy effect

Spouses tend to share habits and therefore have an increased risk of same diseases. We followed all married couples in Sweden, born 1902 to 1942, in hospital records from 1987 to 2002, and found that individuals whose spouse had a hip fracture had an increased risk of hip fracture.

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to determine whether spouses of hip fracture patients have an elevated risk of hip fracture.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of all couples married for at least 5 years in Sweden and born between 1902 and 1942 (n = 904,451) and all patients registered with a hip fracture (n = 218,285) in the National Inpatients Register in Sweden from 1987 to 2002.

RESULTS

During the period 1987 to 2002 hip fractures occurred among spouses in 4212 married couples. The hazard ratio (HR) for hip fracture in a married woman following hip fracture in the husband was 1.11 (95 % confidence interval 1.07 to 1.16) compared to a woman whose husband did not have hip fracture. The corresponding HR for a married man was 1.20 (1.15 to 1.26) compared to a man whose wife did not have hip fracture. The risk was significantly elevated over the age range 60 to 90 years. The increased risk for hip fracture among spouses remained after adjustments for income, education, geographical latitude and urbanisation. In a common model with spouses and their siblings, the HR for spousal effect were 1.63 (1.01 to 2.64) and for sibling effect 2.18 (1.55 to 3.06) compared to married with spouse and sibling respectively without hip fracture.

CONCLUSION

The novel finding of an increased risk for hip fracture among spouses provides evidence indicating that there is a homogamy effect due to common social and lifestyle factors but could also be due to assortative mating.

Factors for Adopting ERP as SaaS amongst SMEs

This paper identifies the factors for adopting Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) delivered as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) among small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The authors conducted a two phases' qualitative-methodology: interviews with 20 experts from SaaS vendor (Microsoft) and a case-study with executives in three organizations which implemented vendor's ERP as SaaS (customers). The vendor identified 10 factors for adoption - Costs, Security, Availability, Usability, Implementation, Ubiquity, Flexibility, Compatibility, Analytics and Best-practices, where costs, security and availability were considered the most important factors. The three customers identified 3 additional factors: the trust in the Solution partner, Data integrity, and level of Integration of cloud platforms. Considering all 13 factors, Cost, trust in the Solution partner and Availability were identified as the most important for customers, which gave much less importance to the others factors. These results will help professionals and researchers to improve understanding and accelerate ERP adoption as SaaS among SMEs.