Avilahughes3911

Functional connectivity analyses for task-based fMRI data are generally preceded by methods for identification of network nodes. As there is no general canonical approach to identifying network nodes, different identification techniques may exert different effects on inferences drawn regarding functional network properties. Here, we compared the impact of two different node identification techniques on estimates of local node importance (based on Degree Centrality, DC) in two working memory domains verbal and visual. The two techniques compared were the commonly used Activation Likelihood Estimate (ALE) technique (with node locations based on data aggregation), against a hybrid technique, Experimentally Derived Estimation (EDE). In the latter, ALE was first used to isolate regions of interest; then participant-specific nodes were identified based on individual-participant local maxima. Time series were extracted at each node for each dataset and subsequently used in functional connectivity analysis to (1) assess the impact of choice of technique on estimates of DC, and (2) assess the difference between the techniques in the ranking of nodes (based on DC) in the networks they produced. In both domains, we found a significant Technique by Node interaction, signifying that the two techniques yielded networks with different DC estimates. Moreover, for the majority of participants, node rankings were uncorrelated between the two techniques (85% for the verbal working memory task and 92% for the visual working memory task). The latter effect is direct evidence that the identification techniques produced different rankings at the level of individual participants. These results indicate that node choice in task-based fMRI data exerts downstream effects that will impact interpretation and reverse inference regarding brain function.The limbic system encompasses a collection of brain areas primarily involved in higher cognitive and emotional processing. Altered function in the limbic circuitry may play a major role in various psychiatric disorders. This study aims to provide a high-quality ex vivo diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) tractographic overview of the Göttingen minipig limbic system pathways, which are currently not well described. This may facilitate future translational large animal studies. The study used previously obtained post-mortem DWI scans in 3 female Göttingen minipigs aging 11-15 months. The tractography performed on the DWI data set was made using a probabilistic algorithm, and regions of interest (ROIs) were defined in accordance with a histological atlas. The investigated pathways included the fornix, mammillothalamic tract, stria terminalis, stria medullaris, habenulo-interpeduncular tract, and cingulum. All the investigated limbic connections could be visualized with a high detail yielding a comprehensive three-dimensional overview, which was emphasized by the inclusion of video material. The minipig limbic system pathways displayed using tractography closely resembled what was previously described in both human studies and neuronal tracing studies from other mammalian species. We encountered well-known inherent methodological challenges of tractography, e.g., partial volume effects and complex white matter regions, which may have contributed to derouted false-positive streamlines and the failure to visualize some of the minor limbic pathway ramifications. This underlines the importance of preexisting anatomical knowledge. Conclusively, we have, for the first time, provided an overview and substantial insight of the Göttingen minipig limbic system.This study sought to determine if reducing dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) expression in the dorsal striatum (DS) via RNA-interference alters methamphetamine self-administration. A lentiviral construct containing a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) was used to knock down D1R expression (D1RshRNA). D1RshRNA in male rats increased responding for methamphetamine (i.v.) under a fixed-ratio schedule in an extended access paradigm, compared to D1R-intact rats. D1RshRNA also produced a vertical shift in a dose-response paradigm and enhanced responding for methamphetamine in a progressive-ratio schedule, generating a drug-vulnerable phenotype. D1RshRNA did not alter responding for sucrose (oral) under a fixed-ratio schedule compared to D1R-intact rats. Western blotting confirmed reduced D1R expression in methamphetamine and sucrose D1RshRNA rats. D1RshRNA reduced the expression of PSD-95 and MAPK-1 and increased the expression of dopamine transporter (DAT) in the DS from methamphetamine, but not sucrose rats. Sucrose density gradient fractionation was performed in behavior-naïve controls, D1RshRNA- and D1R-intact rats to determine the subcellular localization of D1Rs, DAT and D1R signaling proteins. D1Rs, DAT, MAPK-1 and PSD-95 predominantly localized to heavy fractions, and the membrane/lipid raft protein caveolin-1 (Cav-1) and flotillin-1 were distributed equally between buoyant and heavy fractions in controls. Methamphetamine increased localization of PSD-95, Cav-1, and flotillin-1 in D1RshRNA and D1R-intact rats to buoyant fractions. Our studies indicate that reduced D1R expression in the DS increases vulnerability to methamphetamine addiction-like behavior, and this is accompanied by striatal alterations in the expression of DAT and D1R signaling proteins and is independent of the subcellular localization of these proteins.Insect cell lines are used to study cellular interactions and gene functions in vitroin several research areas. However, suitable cell lines for experiments are not alwaysavailable, especially in non-model species. Here, we established novel cell lines derivedfrom fat bodies of six lepidopteran insects Cydia kurokoi (named NARO-Cyku), Cephonodes hylas (NARO-Cehy), Haritalodes basipunctalis (NARO-Haba), Theretraoldenlandiae (NARO-Thol), Lymantria dispar (NARO-Lydi), and Hyphantria cunea (NARO-Hycu) collected in the field. The larval fat body was a promising tissue for thestarting material when samples were limited due to field collection. It was critical thatthe medium volume was kept to a minimum for primary culture to maintain adherenceof the fat body cells to the flask. The flask was coated with poly-L-lysine for effectiveinduction of adherence and cell division. The identities of cell lines were confirmedusing DNA barcoding with the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene after cultureswere passaged over 50 times. All lines except for NARO-Lydi and NARO-Hycu areadherent cells, and population doubling time of six cell lines ranged from 1.03 to 2.49. Induction of gene expression was practicable in the four adherent cell lines as revealedby transfection of expression vectors and found the immediate early 2 and the Bombyxactin 3 were effective gene promoters. The results suggest that these cell lines arecapable of gene functional analysis. Thus, establishments of cell line using our methodsfor non-model lepidopterans could make a practical contribution to pest managementand insect utilization.Titanbicus (TB), a hybrid of Hibiscus moscheutos × H. coccineus (Medic.) Walt., has potential to be used as an edible flower. In this study, proximate nutritional content, anthocyanin content, total polyphenol content (TPC), and antioxidant activities in vitro and in vivo were investigated. Three cultivars of TB, namely Artemis (AR), Rhea (R), and Adonis (AD), were used as materials. Protein and carbohydrates were the primary macronutrients, while crude fat and ash were detected in trace amounts. Cyanidin 3-glucoside (Cy3-G) and cyanidin 3-sambubioside (Cy3-Sam), were identified in all TBs. The highest anthocyanin content was observed in AD (47.09 ± 1.45 mg/g extract), followed by R and AR (6.04 ± 0.20 and 2.72 ± 0.11 mg/g extract, respectively). The TPC of AD (225.01 ± 1.97 mg/g extract) was greater than that of AR and R (185.41 ± 3.24 and 144.10 ± 1.71 mg/g extract, respectively). AD exhibited the strongest in vitro antioxidant activity in hydrophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity, compared to the other two TBs. In addition, AD extract suppressed the generation of reactive oxygen species in caudal fin of wounded zebrafish. Antioxidant activities of AD appeared to be related to its total anthocyanin content, Cy3-G, Cy3-Sam, and TPC. Our findings indicate that TB, particularly the AD cultivar, would be an attractive source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant activities, and can improve both nutritional value and appearance of food.OBJECTIVES To explore the clinical features and associated factors of cryptococcosis in patients with connective tissue disease (CTD) from Southern China. METHODS Demographic and clinical data were collected between 2007 and 2018. Associated factors were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS A total of 6809 inpatients with CTD were included. Cryptococcosis was diagnosed in 30 patients (prevalence, 0.4%). Cryptococcosis was predominant in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) (prevalence, 6/530, 1.1%). Lung was commonly involved (18/30, 60.0%), followed by meninges (6/30, 20.0%), blood stream (5/30, 16.7%), and disseminated cryptococcosis (involved blood stream and meninges) (1/30, 3.3%). Infiltrates (10/18, 55.6%) and small nodules (8/18, 44.4%) were the main radiographic manifestation of pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC). The positive rate of serum cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) in patients with PC was 88.2%. Cryptococcus spp. were found in 75% (3/4) patients who underwent lung biopsy. Most of set and the diagnosis mainly depends on lumber puncture.• Cryptococcal sepsis is not rare and needs timely blood culture in suspected patients.BACKGROUND Routine TEP technique requires three skin incisions for placement of three trocars in the midline. Otherwise, this can be done by three-port triangular technique or two-hand technique. This study reports a randomised trial of perioperative outcomes and ergonomics characteristics of this procedure using two different techniques of port insertion. METHODS N = 28 patients were randomised into two groups for triangular three-port (TTEP) versus midline three-port TEP (MTEP) hernioplasty after informed written consent in Department of Surgery, King George's Medical University UP between September 2016 and September 2017 after institutional ethical approval. Patient-related outcomes in terms of quality of life (QOL) and ergonomic evaluation of the technique were compared in double-blinded fashion. RESULTS Postoperative pain score at 24 h post surgery (5.1 ± 0.6; 95% CI 4.9-5.3 vs. 4.8 ± 0.4; 95% CI 4.6-4.9) differed, while hospital stay, time to return to routine work, tolerance to oral feeds and intraoperative complications occurrence (OR 2.1; 95% CI 0.2-24.3) were comparable in both groups. Time to return to office work (5.5 ± 0.5; 95% CI 5.4-5.7 vs. 4.0 ± 0.8; 95% CI 3.7-4.3) and immediate postoperative sensation of mesh and pain score were significantly higher in MTEP compared to TTEP. Ergonomic parameters including visualization of landmark score, spreading of mesh score and total surgeon satisfaction score (TTEP 8.4 ± 0.7; 95% CI 8.1-8.6 vs. MTEP 7.0 ± 0.8; 95% CI 6.7-7.3), mental effort quotient (SMEQ score TTEP 50.6 ± 12.7; 95% CI 45.9-55.3 vs. MTEP 70.8 ± 12.6 95% CI 66.1-75.4) and physical effort quotient (LEDQ scores in wrist, hand, arm and shoulders) were also superior in triangular technique of port placement. CONCLUSION Triangular three-port TEP hernioplasty is ergonomically feasible and enables a surgeon to perform surgery safely using basic principles of laparoscopy.