The Goldfish as a Model for Studying Neuroestrogen Synthesis, Localization, and Action in the Brain and Visual System

Organizational and activational effects of estrogen (E) in the central nervous system (CNS) are exerted directly by circulating E and indirectly after aromatization of circulating androgen to E in the brain itself. Understanding an environmental chemical's ability to disrupt E-dependent neural processes, therefore, requires attention to both pathways. Because aromatase (Aro) is highly expressed in teleost brain, when compared to mammals and other vertebrates, fish are technically advantageous for localization and regulation studies and may also provide a model in which the functional consequences of brain-derived (neuro-)E synthesis are exaggerated. Recently, Aro was immunolocalized in cell bodies and fiber projections of second- and third-order neurons of the goldfish retina and in central visual processing areas. Authentic Aro enzyme activity was verified biochemically, suggesting a heretofore unrecognized role of sex steroids in the visual system. Initial studies show that in vivo treatment with aromatizable androgen or E increases calmodulin synthesis and calmodulin protein in retina and also affects retinal protein and DNA. Whether there are related changes in the processing of visual information that is essential for seasonal reproduction or in the generative and regenerative capacity of the goldfish visual system requires further investigation. IMAGES.National Science Foundation (DCB8916809

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FUZZY LOGIC CONTROL FOR PV PUMPING SYSTEM

This paper presents an optimal operation of a photovoltaic pumping system. An analysis by witch the dynamic performances of a permanent magnet brushless DC (PMBLDC) motor is controlled through a hysteresis current loop and an outer speed loop with different controllers. The dynamics of the drive system with (PI) and a Fuzzy logic (FL) speed controllers are presented. In order to optimize the overall system efficiency, a maximum power point tracker is also used. Simulation is carried out by formatting the mathematical model for photovoltaic source, MPPT, motor and pump load. The results with FL speed controller show improvement in transient response of PMBLDC drive over conventional PI. The effectiveness of the FL controller is also demonstrated

ERS International Congress 2022: highlights from the Respiratory Clinical Care and Physiology Assembly

It is a challenge to keep abreast of all the clinical and scientific advances in the field of respiratory medicine. This article contains an overview of the laboratory-based science, clinical trials and qualitative research that were presented during the 2022 European Respiratory Society International Congress within the sessions from the five groups of Assembly 1 (Respiratory Clinical Care and Physiology). Selected presentations are summarised from a wide range of topics: clinical problems, rehabilitation and chronic care, general practice and primary care, mobile/electronic health (m-health/e-health), clinical respiratory physiology, exercise and functional imaging

Amplified engagement of prefrontal cortex during control of voluntary action in Tourette syndrome

Tourette syndrome is characterized by ‘unvoluntary’ tics, which are compulsive, yet often temporarily suppressible. The inferior frontal gyrus is implicated in motor control, including inhibition of pre-potent actions through influences on downstream subcortical and motor regions. Although tic suppression in Tourette syndrome also engages the inferior frontal gyrus, it is unclear whether such prefrontal control of action is also dysfunctional: Tic suppression studies do not permit comparison with control groups, and neuroimaging studies of motor inhibition can be confounded by the concurrent expression or suppression of tics. Here, patients with Tourette syndrome were directly compared to control participants when performing an intentional inhibition task during functional MRI. Tic expression was recorded throughout for removal from statistical models. Participants were instructed to make a button press in response to Go cues, withhold responses to NoGo cues, and decide whether to press or withhold to ‘Choose’ cues. Overall performance was similar between groups, for both intentional inhibition rates (% Choose-Go) and reactive NoGo inhibition commission errors. A subliminal face prime elicited no additional effects on intentional or reactive inhibition. Across participants, the task activated prefrontal and motor cortices and subcortical nuclei, including pre-supplementary motor area, inferior frontal gyrus, insula, caudate nucleus, thalamus and primary motor cortex. In Tourette syndrome, activity was elevated in the inferior frontal gyrus, insula and basal ganglia, most notably within the right inferior frontal gyrus during voluntary action and inhibition (Choose-Go and Choose-NoGo), and reactive inhibition (NoGo-correct). Anatomically, the locus of this inferior frontal gyrus hyperactivation during control of voluntary action matched that previously reported for tic suppression. In Tourette syndrome, activity within the caudate nucleus was also enhanced during both intentional (Choose-NoGo) and reactive (NoGo-correct) inhibition. Strikingly, despite the absence of overt motor behaviour, primary motor cortex activity increased in patients with Tourette syndrome but decreased in controls during both reactive and intentional inhibition. Additionally, severity of premonitory sensations scaled with functional connectivity of the pre-supplementary motor area to the caudate nucleus, globus pallidus and thalamus when choosing to respond (Choose-Go). Together, these results suggest that patients with Tourette syndrome use equivalent prefrontal mechanisms to suppress tics and withhold non-tic actions, but require greater inferior frontal gyrus engagement than controls to overcome motor drive from hyperactive downstream regions, notably primary motor cortex. Moreover, premonitory sensations may cue midline motor regions to generate tics through interactions with the basal ganglia

European Respiratory Society International Congress, Barcelona, 2022: Highlights from the Respiratory clinical care and physiology assembly

It is a challenge to keep abreast of all the clinical and scientific advances in the field of respiratory medicine. This article contains an overview of laboratory-based science, clinical trials and qualitative research that were presented during the 2022 European Respiratory Society International Congress within the sessions from the five groups of the Assembly 1 – Respiratory clinical care and physiology. Selected presentations are summarised from a wide range of topics: clinical problems, rehabilitation and chronic care, general practice and primary care, electronic/mobile health (e-health/m-health), clinical respiratory physiology, exercise and functional imaging

Contemporary management of primary parapharyngeal space tumors

The parapharyngeal space is a complex anatomical area. Primary parapharyngeal tumors are rare tumors and 80% of them are benign. A variety of tumor types can develop in this location; most common are salivary gland neoplasm and neurogenic tumors. The management of these tumors has improved greatly owing to the developments in imaging techniques, surgery, and radiotherapy. Most tumors can be removed with a low rate of complications and recurrence. The transcervical approach is the most frequently used. In some cases, minimally invasive approaches may be used alone or in combination with a limited transcervical route, allowing large tumors to be removed by reducing morbidity of expanded approaches. An adequate knowledge of the anatomy and a careful surgical plan is essential to tailor management according to the patient and the tumor. The purpose of the present review was to update current aspects of knowledge related to this more challenging area of tumor occurrence.Peer reviewe

The Role of NBI HDTV Magnifying Endoscopy in the Prehistologic Diagnosis of Laryngeal Papillomatosis and Spinocellular Cancer

Narrow band imaging (NBI) HDTV (high definition television) magnifying endoscopy is considered to be superior for the accurate display of the microvascular patterns of superficial mucosal lesions. Observation of changes in intraepithelial papillary capillary loops (IPCL) can help distinguish benign from malignant lesions as part of an “optical biopsy.” However, IPCL changes in papillomas may be mistaken for spinocellular cancer (SCC). The aim of the study was to determine whether observing microvascular changes alone is sufficient for discriminating between laryngeal SCC and papillomatosis. An additional aim was to identify associated characteristics that could clarify the diagnosis. The study included 109 patients with a suspected laryngeal tumor or papilloma. HDTV NBI magnifying endoscopy was performed during direct laryngoscopy. It was possible to visualize IPCL changes in 82 out of 109 patients (75.2%). In 71 (86.6%) patients, the diagnosis was correctly determined. In 4 (4.9%) cases, the diagnosis of SCC was expressed on the basis of finding pathologic IPCL, but histology did not demonstrate malignancy. To achieve a correct diagnosis using HDTV NBI magnifying endoscopy, it is important not only to observe changes in the shape of IPCL but also to note possible papillary structures with central-axis capillaries typical of papillomatosis