Inhibition of high-fat diet-induced miRNA ameliorates tau toxicity in Drosophila.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), caused by amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and Tau tangles, is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive memory impairment and cognitive dysfunction. High-fat diet (HFD), which induces type 2 diabetes, exacerbates Aβ plaque deposition in the brain. To investigate the function of HFD in Tau-mediated AD, we fed an HFD to the Drosophila Tau model and found that HFD aggravates Tau-induced neurological phenotypes.

AC conductivity study of mechanochemically synthesized solid electrolytes of LiMPSCl (M = Ca, Mg, Ba, Zn, Al, Y).

Argyrodite-type solid electrolytes of LiPSCl doped with multivalent cations (Mg, Ba, Zn, Al, Y) were prepared a mechanochemical synthesis method. The lattice constant (), interplanar spacing (, , ), and micro-strain () showed that the doping elements were incorporated into the crystal structure of LiPSCl. The lattice constant and interplanar spacing of the doped samples were smaller than those of LiPSCl.

Genome evolution of dengue virus serotype 1 under selection by in mosquitoes.

The introgression of antiviral strains of into mosquito populations is a public health intervention for the control of dengue. Plausibly, dengue virus (DENV) could evolve to bypass the antiviral effects of and undermine this approach. Here, we established a serial-passage system to investigate the evolution of DENV in mosquitoes infected with the Mel strain of .

A neural flexible PID controller for task-space control of robotic manipulators.

This paper proposes an adaptive robust Jacobian-based controller for task-space position-tracking control of robotic manipulators. Structure of the controller is built up on a traditional Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) framework. An additional neural control signal is next synthesized under a non-linear learning law to compensate for internal and external disturbances in the robot dynamics.

Precise visuomotor transformations underlying collective behavior in larval zebrafish.

Complex schooling behaviors result from local interactions among individuals. Yet, how sensory signals from neighbors are analyzed in the visuomotor stream of animals is poorly understood. Here, we studied aggregation behavior in larval zebrafish and found that over development larvae transition from overdispersed groups to tight shoals.

Randomized Pilot Study: A Mobile Technology-based Self-management Intervention for Sickle Cell Pain.

Little is known about the effects of self-managed relaxation interventions on pain, stress, and autonomic responses in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). This pre-post randomized controlled pilot study was conducted to determine the feasibility of using computer tablets for relaxation intervention delivery; acceptability of study procedures; and intervention effects on pain, stress, and indicators of relaxation. The 30 research participants ranged in age from 22 years to 59 years.

An update on obesity: Mental consequences and psychological interventions.

Besides physical consequences, obesity has negative psychological effects, thereby lowering human life quality. Major psychological consequences of this disorder includes depression, impaired body image, low self-esteem, eating disorders, stress and poor quality of life, which are correlated with age and gender. Physical interventions, mainly diet control and energy balance, have been widely applied to treat obesity; and some psychological interventions including behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and hypnotherapy have showed some effects on obesity treatment.

Factors associated with a low prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding during hospital stay in urban and semi-rural areas of southern Vietnam.

Background: There is a paucity of data regarding risk factors associated with suboptimal breastfeeding practices in urbanized areas of low-middle income countries (LMICs).

Methods: Through a large prospective birth cohort, which enrolled 6706 infants in Vietnam between 2009 and 2013, we investigated the practice of exclusive breastfeeding during hospital stay in urban and semi-rural populations and aimed to identify factors associated with suboptimal breastfeeding practices. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression were performed to determine factors associated with not exclusive breastfeeding during hospital stay.

An update on physical health and economic consequences of overweight and obesity.

Overweight and obesity (OW and OB) have been on the increase globally and posed health risks to the world's population of all ages, including pre-born babies, children, adolescents, adults and elderly people, via their comorbid conditions. Excellent examples of comorbidities associated with obesity include cancer, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this article, we aimed to review and update scientific evidence regarding the relationships between obesity and its common physical health consequences, including CVD, T2DM, hypertension, ischemic stroke, cancer, dyslipidemia and reproductive disorders.

Crosstalk between oligodendrocytes and cerebral endothelium contributes to vascular remodeling after white matter injury.

After stroke and brain injury, cortical gray matter recovery involves mechanisms of neurovascular matrix remodeling. In white matter, however, the mechanisms of recovery remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that oligodendrocytes secrete matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), which accelerates the angiogenic response after white matter injury.

Kinetics of viremia and NS1 antigenemia are shaped by immune status and virus serotype in adults with dengue.

Background: Dengue is a major public health problem in tropical and subtropical countries. Exploring the relationships between virological features of infection with patient immune status and outcome may help to identify predictors of disease severity and enable rational therapeutic strategies.

Methods: Clinical features, antibody responses and virological markers were characterized in Vietnamese adults participating in a randomised controlled treatment trial of chloroquine.

A randomized controlled trial of chloroquine for the treatment of dengue in Vietnamese adults.

Background: There is currently no licensed antiviral drug for treatment of dengue. Chloroquine (CQ) inhibits the replication of dengue virus (DENV) in vitro.

Methods And Findings: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of CQ in 307 adults hospitalized for suspected DENV infection was conducted at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam) between May 2007 and July 2008.

Quebec breast cancer screening program: a study of the perceptions of physicians in Laval, Que.

Objective: To identify physicians' perceptions of breast cancer prevention in order to generate strategies to increase women's participation in the Quebec breast cancer screening program (QBCSP).

Design: Qualitative study using archival data and in-depth interviews.

Setting: Laval, Que, a suburban city north of Montreal.

Why and according to what consultation profiles do female sex workers consult health care professionals? A study conducted in Laval, Québec.

We carried out a study to understand help-seeking behavior among female sex workers in order to bring adequate health care and services to this population at risk for sexually transmitted infection (STI) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmissions. Data were collected by means of questionnaires, focus groups, and in-depth individual interviews. Analysis reveals that the respondents are familiar with and have access to the health care system.

Sustainability of the impact of a public health intervention: lessons learned from the laval walking clubs experience.

To inform health promotion practice regarding the sustainability of public health interventions, the authors interviewed the directors of 13 new community-based organizations created through a practitioner-initiated public health intervention designed to promote physical activity at the community level. The purpose of the interviews was to uncover the factors that lead organization directors to become involved in the initiative and to maintain their involvement across an extended period of time. Results showed that there were 3 categories of positive outcomes associated with leading a walking club: maintaining and improving health, personal satisfaction, and group motivation.

Evaluating the Fabreville Heart Health Program in Laval, Canada: a dialogue between two paradigms, positivism and constructivism.

As part of the Canadian Federal-Provincial Initiative in Heart Health, the goal of the Fabreville Heart Health Program was to sensitize a district of Laval, Quebec's second most populous city, to heart-healthy behaviours. The program was planned and implemented by a committee composed of Fabreville community leaders and professionals from the Public Health Department. Between 1992 and 1994, intervention objectives were defined by the department in terms of changing individual behaviours associated with cardiovascular risk factors, namely diet, sedentariness and smoking, as well as adapting physical and social environments to facilitate these changes.

[Behavior and beliefs in amateur open water activities. Study of beliefs and attitudes with respect to health risks].

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore beliefs, attitudes and suggestions concerning effective interventions to promote the use of sun protection, the use of personal flotation devices (PFDs) and the avoidance of contact with water unfit for swimming.

Method: Interviews were conducted with 36 users and 2 river park activity coordinators on a river in the Greater Montreal area.

Results: The respondents recognized the existence of a certain number of negative beliefs and barriers associated with the adoption of safe behaviours, in particular the pointlessness and inconvenience of means of protection against the sun and the wearing of PFDs, the negligible effects of polluted water on health and the thrill of defying bans.