Multi-session tDCS paired with passive mobilisation of the thumb modulates thalamo-cortical coupling during command following in the healthy brain.

Therapeutic options to restore responsiveness in patients with prolonged disorder of consciousness (PDOC) are limited. We have recently shown that a single session of tDCS over M1 delivered at rest can reduce thalamic self-inhibition during motor command following. Here, we build upon this by exploring whether pairing tDCS with a concurrent passive mobilisation protocol can further influence thalamo-M1 dynamics and whether these changes are enhanced after multiple stimulation sessions.

Characterising stationary and dynamic effective connectivity changes in the motor network during and after tDCS.

The exact mechanisms behind the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) at a network level are still poorly understood, with most studies to date focusing on local (cortical) effects and changes in motor-evoked potentials or BOLD signal. Here, we explored stationary and dynamic effective connectivity across the motor network at rest in two experiments where we applied tDCS over the primary motor cortex (M1-tDCS) or the cerebellum (cb-tDCS) respectively. Two cohorts of healthy volunteers (n = 21 and n = 22) received anodal, cathodal, and sham tDCS sessions (counterbalanced) during 20 min of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Investigating the shift between externally and internally oriented cognition: a novel task-switching paradigm.

Despite our constant need to flexibly balance internal and external information, research on cognitive flexibility has focused solely on shifts between externally oriented tasks. In contrast, switches across internally oriented processes (and self-referential cognition specifically) and between internal and external domains have never been investigated. Here, we report a novel task-switching paradigm developed to explore the behavioural signatures associated with cognitive flexibility when self-referential processes, as well as more traditional external processes, are involved.

"Safe" Chitosan/Zinc Oxide Nanocomposite Has Minimal Organ-Specific Toxicity in Early Stages of Zebrafish Development.

Marine biofouling is considered to be one of the most challenging issues affecting maritime industries worldwide. In this regard, traditional biocides, being used to combat biofouling, have high toxicity toward aquatic systems. Recently, a new chitosan/zinc oxide nanoparticle (CZNC) composite has been used as a promising "green" biocide.

Prevalence of Infertility Among Patients With Isthmocele and Fertility Outcome After Isthmocele Surgical Treatment: A Retrospective Study.

An isthmocele is a diverticulum on the anterior wall of the uterine isthmus at the site of a cesarean delivery scar. We evaluated the prevalence of infertility among patients with isthmocele, the resolution of symptoms, and infertility outcomes after hysteroscopic isthmoplasty. We conducted a retrospective study of 35 consecutive patients with symptomatic isthmocele between 2010 and 2015 at Hospital Piero Palagi in Florence, Italy.