Neurodegeneration in zebrafish embryos and adults after cadmium exposure.

Cadmium is a biologically non-essential metal. It is also toxic to many organs including the brain. The aim of this study was to analyse the neurodegenerative effects of this metal in embryos and adults of zebrafish exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of cadmium.

A complex network approach reveals a pivotal substructure of genes linked to schizophrenia.

Research on brain disorders with a strong genetic component and complex heritability, such as schizophrenia, has led to the development of brain transcriptomics. This field seeks to gain a deeper understanding of gene expression, a key factor in exploring further research issues. Our study focused on how genes are associated amongst each other.

Deep learning reveals Alzheimer's disease onset in MCI subjects: Results from an international challenge.

Background: Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its onset in subjects affected by mild cognitive impairment (MCI) based on structural MRI features is one of the most important open issues in neuroimaging. Accordingly, a scientific challenge has been promoted, on the international Kaggle platform, to assess the performance of different classification methods for prediction of MCI and its conversion to AD.

New Method: This work presents a classification strategy based on Random Forest feature selection and Deep Neural Network classification using a mixed cohort including the four classes of classification problem, that is HC, AD, MCI and cMCI, to train the model.

Orthodontic management by functional activator treatment: a case report.

Background: Managing orthodontic treatment is often very difficult for the orthodontist. Many devices are used during the orthopedic phase of orthodontic treatment, always with different functions. We describe a case of orthodontic management treated with the Equilibrator O.

Conjugated linoleic acid prevents age-dependent neurodegeneration in a mouse model of neuropsychiatric lupus via the activation of an adaptive response.

Oxidative stress is a key mediator of autoimmune/neurodegenerative disorders. The antioxidant/anti-inflammatory effect of a synthetic conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) mixture in MRL/MpJ-Fas mice (MRL/), an animal model of neuropsychiatric lupus, was previously associated with the improvement of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) defenses in the spleen and liver. However, little is known about the neuroprotective ability of a CLA mixture.

Trial latencies estimation of event-related potentials in EEG by means of genetic algorithms.

Objective: Event-related potentials (ERPs) are usually obtained by averaging thus neglecting the trial-to-trial latency variability in cognitive electroencephalography (EEG) responses. As a consequence the shape and the peak amplitude of the averaged ERP are smeared and reduced, respectively, when the single-trial latencies show a relevant variability. To date, the majority of the methodologies for single-trial latencies inference are iterative schemes providing suboptimal solutions, the most commonly used being the Woody's algorithm.

Electromyographic evaluation in children orthodontically treated for skeletal Class II malocclusion: Comparison of two treatment techniques.

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of two techniques for fabricating a Bimler device by assessing the patient's surface electromyography (sEMG) activity at rest before treatment and six months after treatment.

Methods: Twenty-four patients undergoing orthodontic treatment were enrolled in the study; 12 formed the test group and wore a Bimler device fabricated with a Myoprint impression using neuromuscular orthodontic technique and 12 formed the control group and were treated by traditional orthodontic technique with a wax bite in protrusion. The "rest" sEMG of each patient was recorded prior to treatment and six months after treatment.

Knockout Mice for Dyslexia Susceptibility Gene Homologs KIAA0319 and KIAA0319L have Unaffected Neuronal Migration but Display Abnormal Auditory Processing.

Developmental dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects reading ability caused by genetic and non-genetic factors. Amongst the susceptibility genes identified to date, KIAA0319 is a prime candidate. RNA-interference experiments in rats suggested its involvement in cortical migration but we could not confirm these findings in Kiaa0319-mutant mice.

Protective effect of Rumenic acid rich cow's milk against colitis is associated with the activation of Nrf2 pathway in a murine model.

Dietary supplementation with pure cis9, trans11 isomer of Conjugated Linoleic Acid -known as Rumenic Acid (RA)- improves cytoprotective defenses downstream through the activation of nuclear factor-E2-related factor-2(Nrf2). This capability, when Rumenic Acid is consumed in the form of foods, is still unknown. The ability of standard (St) or cow milk naturally-enriched in RA (En) to activate Nrf2 pathway and its impact on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis was comparatively evaluated.

Infection and Malignancy Outweigh Cardiovascular Mortality in Kidney Transplant Recipients: Post Hoc Analysis of the FAVORIT Trial.

Objective: Now that long-term survival after successful renal transplantation is no longer limited by excessive cardiovascular risk, the primary care physician should consider that infection and malignancy are leading noncardiovascular causes of death even in the recipient with diabetes.

Methods: We accessed the National Institutes of Health-sponsored Folic Acid for Vascular Outcome Reduction in Transplantation (FAVORIT) study population (4010 renal transplant recipients with elevated homocysteine levels) studied to determine whether folate and B12 supplementation would reduce cardiovascular end points. This trial had a null result.

Central Sensitization-Based Classification for Temporomandibular Disorders: A Pathogenetic Hypothesis.

Dysregulation of Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) and central pain pathways in temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is a growing evidence. Authors include some forms of TMD among central sensitization syndromes (CSS), a group of pathologies characterized by central morphofunctional alterations. Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) is useful for clinical diagnosis.

Does diabetes impact therapeutic immunomodulation therapy decisions for kidney transplant recipients? Data from the Folic Acid for Vascular Outcome Reduction in Transplant (FAVORIT) trial.

Although survival has improved for kidney transplant recipients over the past several decades, long-term survival in diabetic cohorts still is significantly less than that of non-diabetic cohorts. We hypothesized that among stable kidney transplant recipients, there might be differences between subgroups with and without diabetes with respect to prevalence of prior cardiovascular events and post-transplant antihypertensive and immunosuppressive therapy. We performed a post hoc analysis of participants in the Folic Acid for Vascular Outcome Reduction in Transplant (FAVORIT) trial, a multicenter international trial of 4110 prevalent kidney transplant recipients enrolled from 2002 to 2007 evaluating the effect of homocysteine-lowering vitamin therapy on cardiovascular outcomes.

The DCDC2 deletion is not a risk factor for dyslexia.

Dyslexia is a specific impairment in learning to read and has strong heritability. An intronic deletion within the DCDC2 gene, with ~8% frequency in European populations, is increasingly used as a marker for dyslexia in neuroimaging and behavioral studies. At a mechanistic level, this deletion has been proposed to influence sensory processing capacity, and in particular sensitivity to visual coherent motion.

Perspective: Improving Nutritional Guidelines for Sustainable Health Policies: Current Status and Perspectives.

A large body of evidence supports the notion that incorrect or insufficient nutrition contributes to disease development. A pivotal goal is thus to understand what exactly is appropriate and what is inappropriate in food ingestion and the consequent nutritional status and health. The effective application of these concepts requires the translation of scientific information into practical approaches that have a tangible and measurable impact at both individual and population levels.

Variability in axillary lymph node delineation for breast cancer radiotherapy in presence of guidelines on a multi-institutional platform.

Aim: To quantify the variability between radiation oncologists (ROs) when outlining axillary nodes in breast cancer.

Material And Methods: For each participating center, three ROs with different levels of expertise, i.e.

Safety and efficacy of pulmonary vein isolation using a surround flow catheter with contact force measurement capabilities: A multicenter registry.

Introduction: Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation is the cornerstone of catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Surround flow and contact force (CF) measurement capabilities might enhance procedure efficacy and safety. We report on the safety and midterm efficacy of a novel ablation catheter for PV isolation in patients with AF.

Mortality and cancer incidence among male volunteer Australian firefighters.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate mortality and cancer incidence of Australian male volunteer firefighters and of subgroups of firefighters by duration of service, era of first service and the number and type of incidents attended.

Methods: Participating fire agencies supplied records of individual volunteer firefighters, including incidents attended. The cohort was linked to the Australian National Death Index and Australian Cancer Database.

Topological Measurements of DWI Tractography for Alzheimer's Disease Detection.

Neurodegenerative diseases affect brain morphology and connectivity, making complex networks a suitable tool to investigate and model their effects. Because of its stereotyped pattern Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a natural benchmark for the study of novel methodologies. Several studies have investigated the network centrality and segregation changes induced by AD, especially with a single subject approach.

Effects of cadmium on the glial architecture in lizard brain.

The glial cells are positioned to be the first cells of the brain parenchyma to face molecules crossing the blood-brain barrier with a relevant neuroprotective role from cytotoxic action of heavy metals on the nervous system. Cadmium is a highly toxic metal and its levels in the environment are increasing due to industrial activities. This element can pass the blood-brain barrier and have neurotoxic activity.

The Dyslexia-susceptibility Protein KIAA0319 Inhibits Axon Growth Through Smad2 Signaling.

KIAA0319 is a transmembrane protein associated with dyslexia with a presumed role in neuronal migration. Here we show that KIAA0319 expression is not restricted to the brain but also occurs in sensory and spinal cord neurons, increasing from early postnatal stages to adulthood and being downregulated by injury. This suggested that KIAA0319 participates in functions unrelated to neuronal migration.

Treatment outcomes and patterns of radiologic appearance after hypofractionated image-guided radiotherapy delivered with helical tomotherapy (HHT) for lung tumours.

Objective: To evaluate treatment outcomes and patterns of CT lung injury after hypofractionated image-guided radiotherapy delivered with helical tomotherapy (HHT) in a series of inoperable lung lesions.

Methods: 68 patients who were medically inoperable (69 lesions) without evidence of viable extrathoracic disease were included. Dose prescription was driven by tumour location (hilar/pericentral vs peripheral) and/or target volume.

DTI measurements for Alzheimer's classification.

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a promising imaging technique that provides insight into white matter microstructure integrity and it has greatly helped identifying white matter regions affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD) in its early stages. DTI can therefore be a valuable source of information when designing machine-learning strategies to discriminate between healthy control (HC) subjects, AD patients and subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Nonetheless, several studies have reported so far conflicting results, especially because of the adoption of biased feature selection strategies.

Short Total Synthesis of (±)-γ-Lycorane by a Sequential Intramolecular Acylal Cyclisation (IAC) and Intramolecular Heck Addition Reaction.

An intramolecular acylal cyclisation (IAC) approach to the synthesis of a range of bicyclic heterocycles is reported. As an example of the utility of the IAC reaction, the methodology was applied in a protecting-group-free five-step total synthesis of (±)-γ-lycorane, incorporating a new intramolecular Heck addition reaction to generate the pentacyclic core structure of the natural product in good yield.

Sensory trigeminal ULF-TENS stimulation reduces HRV response to experimentally induced arithmetic stress: A randomized clinical trial.

Ultra Low Frequency Transcutaneous Electric Nervous Stimulation (ULF-TENS) is extensively used for pain relief and for the diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). In addition to its local effects, ULF-TENS acts on the autonomic nervous system (ANS), with particular reference to the periaqueductal gray (PAG), promoting the release of endogenous opioids and modulating descending pain systems. It has been suggested that the PAG participates in the coupling between the emotional stimulus and the appropriate behavioral autonomic response.