Hydrogen bonding and coordination in normal and supercritical water from X-ray inelastic scattering

A direct measure of hydrogen bonding in water under conditions ranging from the normal state to the supercritical regime is derived from the Compton scattering of inelastically-scattered X-rays. First, we show that a measure of the number of electrons $n_e$ involved in hydrogen bonding at varying thermodynamic conditions can be directly obtained from Compton profile differences. Then, we use first-principles simulations to provide a connection between $n_e$ and the number of hydrogen bonds $n_{HB}$. Our study shows that over the broad range studied the relationship between $n_e$ and $n_{HB}$ is linear, allowing for a direct experimental measure of bonding and coordination in water. In particular, the transition to supercritical state is characterized by a sharp increase in the number of water monomers, but also displays a significant number of residual dimers and trimers.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures, 1 tabl

Морфофункциональная характеристика отека-набухания коры головного мозга белых крыс после тяжелой черепно-мозговой травмы без и на фоне применения L-лизина эсцината

Aim of study The study is devoted to a morphometric assessment of the manifestations of edema-swelling of the somatosensory cortex (SSC) of the brain of white rats after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) without using L-lysine escinate and when using it as a therapeutic effect.Material and methods We stained sections with hematoxylin-eosin and performed morphometric methods. On thin (4 μm) serial frontal sections of SSC, neurons and microvessels in the control (intact animals, n=5) were examined in 1 (n= 5), 3 (n=5), 5 (n=5), 7 (n=5) and 14 (n=5) days after injury without treatment (n=25, comparison group) and with treatment (n=25, main group). In color raster images (lens x100), using the plug-in filter “Find Maxima”, maximum brightness areas (MBA) were determined , which were then analyzed using the “Analyze Particles” program from ImageJ 1.52 s. MBA corresponded to SSC sites with a high degree of hydration of nerve tissue - edema-swelling. Statistical hypotheses were tested using nonparametric criteria.Results and discussion In control animals, a low degree of hydration of SSC tissue was noted (relative area 3-8%). In the comparison group, 1 and 3 days after STBI, foci of edema-swelling covered up to 30% of SSC, in 5 days - up to 15%, in 7 days - up to 20%, in 15 - up to 18%. Significant heteromorphism and heterogeneity of changes in the neuropil around neurons and blood vessels was noted. In the dynamics of the post-traumatic period, the proportion of large foci of edema-swelling (intra- and perineuronal, perivascular) decreased. In the main group, one day after STBI, there was a statistically significantly smaller number of foci of edema-swelling and their total relative area. The values range of these variables significantly decreased. L-lysine escinat affected the water balance most effectively in the acute post-traumatic period (day 1 and 3). The drug “smoothed out” the manifestation peaks (number, focal area) of edema-swelling: the values of the studied morphometric indicators were statistically significantly different. Consequently, morphometric signs of hydropic dystrophy after STBI were detected in both studied groups during the 15 days of observation.Conclusion The degree of SSC nervous tissue hydration increased after STBI. L-lysine escinate statistically significantly reduced manifestations of hydropic dystrophy. The drug significantly affected the degree of hydration of neural tissue observed in the early post-traumatic period.Цель Исследование посвящено морфометрической оценке проявлений отека-набухания соматосенсорной коры (ССК) головного мозга белых крыс после тяжелой черепно-мозговой травмы (ТЧМТ) на фоне использования в качестве лечебного воздействия L-лизина эсцината.Методы исследования Использована окраска срезов гематоксилином-иозином и методы морфометрии. На тонких (4 мкм) серийных фронтальных срезах ССК изучены нейроны и микрососуды в контроле (интактные животные, n=5), через 1 (n=5), 3 (n=5), 5 (n=5), 7 (n=5) и 14 (n=5) суток после травмы без лечения (n=25, группа сравнения) и с лечением (n=25, основная группа). На цветных растровых изображениях (объектив х100) с помощью плагин-фильтра “Find Maxima” определяли зоны максимальной яркости, которые затем анализировали с помощью “Analyze Particles” из программы ImageJ 1.52s. Зоны соответствовали участкам ССК с высокой степенью гидратации нервной ткани - отек-набухание. Статистические гипотезы проверяли с помощью непараметрических критериев.Результаты и обсуждение У контрольных животных отмечена низкая степень гидратации нервной ткани ССК (относительная площадь 3−8%). В группе сравнения через 1 и 3 суток после ТЧМТ очаги отека-набухания охватывали до 30% ССК, через 5 суток - до 15%, через 7 суток - до 20%, через 15 - до 18%. Отмечалась значительная гетероморфность и гетерогенность изменений в нейропиле, вокруг нейронов и сосудов. В динамике посттравматического периода доля крупных очагов отека-набухания (интра- и перинейрональных, периваскулярных) снижалась. В основной группе через одни сутки после ТЧМТ было статистически значимо меньшее количество очагов отека-набухания и их общая относительная площадь была меньше, чем в группе сравнения. Значительно уменьшался разброс значений данных переменных. Наиболее эффективно L-лизина эсцинат действовал на водный баланс в остром посттравматическом периоде (1-е и 3-и сутки). Препарат «сглаживал»  пики проявлений (количество, площадь очагов) отека-набухания: значения изученных морфометрических показателей статистически значимо отличались. Следовательно, морфометрическиепризнаки гидропической дистрофии после ТЧМТ выявлялись в обеих изученных группах на протяжении 15 суток наблюдения.Заключение После ТЧМТ увеличивалась степень гидратации нервной ткани ССК. L-лизин эсцинат статистически значимо уменьшал проявления гидропической дистрофии. Особенно выраженное влияние препарата на степень гидратации нервной ткани отмечено в раннем посттравматическом периоде

Морфофункциональная характеристика гиппокампа белых крыс в остром периоде после тяжелой черепно-мозговой травмы на фоне применения L-лизина эсцината

Aim of study. The study is devoted to the effect of L-lysine aescinat on the nervous tissue of the CA1 and CA3 fields of the hippocampus of the brain of white rats in the acute period after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).Material and methods. TBI was simulated by applying a blow to the parieto-occipital region with a freely falling weight weighing 200-250 grams from a height of 50 cm using a special rail rack. The objectives of the study were: 1) comparative morphometric assessment of the degree of hydration, cyto- and glioarchitectonics of different layers of CA1 and CA3 fields after ischemia without treatment; 2) the effect of L-lysine aescinat on these indicators. We used histological (staining of sections with hematoxylin-eosin and Nissl), immunohistochemical (for NSE, MAP-2 and GFAP) and morphometric methods. On thin (4 μm) serial frontal sections of the hippocampus, neurons, astrocytes, microvessels and neuropiles were studied in control (intact animals, n=5) and 1 and 3 days after injury without treatment (n=10, comparison group) and with treatment ( n = 10, main group). The number density of neurons was determined using the Nissl staining of cells and by the reaction to NSE. The cytoskeleton of neurons was studied by detecting MAP-2, and astroglia by GFAP. On color raster images (staining with hematoxylin and eosin, x100) using the Find Maxima plug-in filter, the zones of maximum brightness were determined, which were then analyzed using Analyze Particles from the ImageJ 1.52s program. Zones of maximum brightness corresponded to areas of the hippocampus with a high degree of hydration of the nervous tissue - edema-swelling. The nature of the distribution, statistical hypotheses, and plotting were checked using Statistica 8.0 software and R environment.Results. In control animals, normochromic neurons without signs of changes in the cytoskeleton prevailed in all layers of fields CA1 and CA3, and a low degree of hydration of the nervous tissue was noted (the relative proportion of zones of maximum brightness was 5–8%). One and 3 days after TBI, there was a statistically significant increase in the focal content of dystrophic and necrobiotically altered neurons (95% confidence interval: 52–78%), manifestations of reactive gliosis were noted, and the proportion of zones of maximum brightness increased to 16%. Statistically significant layer-by-layer differences were revealed between the CA1 and CA3 fields of the hippocampus. The use of L-lysine aescinat had a statistically significant effect on the morphometric parameters of the nervous tissue of the hippocampus.Conclusion. In the early post-traumatic period after TBI, the degree of hydration of the nervous tissue of the hippocampus increased. Heteromorphicity of dystrophic and necrobiotic changes in different layers of CA1 and CA3 fields was noted. L-lysine aescinate had a statistically significant positive effect on these changes. To a greater extent, this is typical for the CA3 field. The revealed changes are considered not only as patho-, but also as sanogenetic structural mechanisms of protection and reorganization of the hippocampus in the acute post-traumatic period.1. In the acute period (1−3 days) after severe traumatic brain injury, the degree of hydration of all components of the hippocampal nervous tissue increased. In the group without treatment, 3 days after injury, the relative volume of edema-swelling zones varied from 10 to 13% in CA1 (control 3-7%) and from 8 to 16% in CA3 (control 5–10%).2. The heteromorphism of hydropic changes in the molecular layer, the layer of pyramidal neurons and the polymorphic layer was established. The maximum increase in the volume of free water (more than twofold) was characteristic of the molecular and polymorphic layer CA1, as well as the polymorphic layer CA3.3. The use of L-lysine aescinat in the acute period significantly changed the manifestations of hydropic dystrophy. One day after injury, the volume of free water increased in comparison with animals without treatment, and then, after 3 days, decreased, but remained higher than in the comparison group. The maximum effect of the drug was noted in field CA3.Цель исследования. Исследование посвящено изучению влияния L-лизина эсцината на нервную ткань полей СА1 и СА3 гиппокампа головного мозга белых крыс (Wistar) в остром периоде после тяжелой черепно- мозговой травмы (ТЧМТ).Материал и методы. ТЧМТ моделировали нанесением на теменно-затылочную область удара свободно падающим грузом массой 200−250 г с высоты 50 см с помощью специальной рельсовой стойки. Задачами исследования были: 1) сравнительная морфометрическая оценка степени гидратации, цито- и глиоархитектоники различных слоев полей СА1 и СА3 после ТЧМТ без лечения; 2) влияние на эти показатели L-лизина эсцината. Использованы гистологические (окраска срезов гематоксилином- эозином и по Нисслю), иммуногистохимические (на NSE, MAP-2 и GFAP) и морфометрические методы. На тонких (4 мкм) серийных фронтальных срезах гиппокампа изучены нейроны, астроциты, микрососуды и нейропиль в контроле (интактные животные, n=5) и через 1 и 3 суток после травмы без лечения (n=10, группа сравнения) и с лечением (n=10, основная группа). Численную плотность нейронов определяли с помощью окраски клеток по Нисслю и реакции на NSE. Цитоскелет нейронов изучали с помощью реакции на МАР-2, а астроглии — GFAP. На цветных растровых изображениях (окраска гематоксилином и эозином, объектив х100) с помощью плагин-фильтра “Find Maxima” определяли зоны максимальной яркости (ЗМЯ), которые затем анализировали с помощью “Analyze Particles” из программы ImageJ 1.52s. ЗМЯ соответствовали участкам гиппокампа с высокой степенью гидратации нервной ткани — отек-набухание. Характер распределения, статистические гипотезы, построение графиков проверяли с помощью программ Statistica 8.0 и среды R.Результаты. У контрольных животных во всех слоях полей СА1 и СА3 превалировали нормохромные нейроны без признаков изменения цитоскелета, отмечена низкая степень гидратации нервной ткани (относительная доля ЗМЯ 5−8%). Через 1 и 3 суток после ТЧМТ статистически значимо увеличивалось очаговое содержание дистрофически и некробиотически измененных нейронов (95% доверительный интервал: 52−78%), отмечались проявления реактивного глиоза, а доля ЗМЯ увеличивалась до 16%. Выявлены статистически значимые послойные различия между полями СА1 и СА3 гиппокампа. Применение L-лизина эсцината оказывало статистически значимое влияние на морфометрические показатели нервной ткани гиппокампа.Заключение. В раннем периоде после ТЧМТ увеличивалась степень гидратации нервной ткани гиппокампа. Отмечена гетероморфность дистрофических и некробиотических изменений в разных слоях полей СА1 и СА3. L-лизин эсцинат статистически значимо влиял на эти изменения. В большей степени это характерно для поля СА3. Выявленные изменения рассматриваются не только как пато-, но и как саногенетические структурные механизмы защиты и реорганизации гиппокампа в посттравматическом периоде.Выводы.1. В остром периоде (1−3 суток) после тяжелой черепно-мозговой травмы увеличивалась степень гидратации всех компонентов нервной ткани гиппокампа. В группе без лечения через 3 суток после травмы относительный объем зон отека-набухания варьировался от 10 до 13% в СА1 (контроль 3−7%) и от 8 до 16% — в СА3 (контроль 5−10%).2. Установлена гетероморфность гидропических изменений в молекулярном слое, слое пирамидных нейронов и полиморфном слое. Максимальное увеличение объема свободной воды (более чем в 2 раза) было характерно для молекулярного и полиморфного слоя СА1, а также полиморфного слоя СА3.3. Применение в остром периоде L-лизина эсцината способствовало статистически значимому изменению проявлений гидропической дистрофии. Через 1 сутки после травмы объем свободной воды увеличивался в сравнении с животными без лечения, а затем, спустя 3 суток, уменьшался, но оставался выше, чем в группе сравнения. Максимальное влияние препарата отмечено в поле СА3

Transient Gastric Irritation in the Neonatal Rats Leads to Changes in Hypothalamic CRF Expression, Depression- and Anxiety-Like Behavior as Adults

A disturbance of the brain-gut axis is a prominent feature in functional bowel disorders (such as irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia) and psychological abnormalities are often implicated in their pathogenesis. We hypothesized that psychological morbidity in these conditions may result from gastrointestinal problems, rather than causing them.Functional dyspepsia was induced by neonatal gastric irritation in male rats. 10-day old male Sprague-Dawley rats received 0.1% iodoacetamide (IA) or vehicle by oral gavage for 6 days. At 8-10 weeks of age, rats were tested with sucrose preference and forced-swimming tests to examine depression-like behavior. Elevated plus maze, open field and light-dark box tests were used to test anxiety-like behaviors. ACTH and corticosterone responses to a minor stressor, saline injection, and hypothalamic CRF expression were also measured.Behavioral tests revealed changes of anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in IA-treated, but not control rats. As compared with controls, hypothalamic and amygdaloid CRF immunoreactivity, basal levels of plasma corticosterone and stress-induced ACTH were significantly higher in IA-treated rats. Gastric sensory ablation with resiniferatoxin had no effect on behaviors but treatment with CRF type 1 receptor antagonist, antalarmin, reversed the depression-like behavior in IA-treated ratsThe present results suggest that transient gastric irritation in the neonatal period can induce a long lasting increase in depression- and anxiety-like behaviors, increased expression of CRF in the hypothalamus, and an increased sensitivity of HPA axis to stress. The depression-like behavior may be mediated by the CRF1 receptor. These findings have significant implications for the pathogenesis of psychological co-morbidity in patients with functional bowel disorders

Molecular dynamics simulation of humic substances

© 2014, Orsi. Humic substances (HS) are complex mixtures of natural organic material which are found almost everywhere in the environment, and particularly in soils, sediments, and natural water. HS play key roles in many processes of paramount importance, such as plant growth, carbon storage, and the fate of contaminants in the environment. While most of the research on HS has been traditionally carried out by conventional experimental approaches, over the past 20 years complementary investigations have emerged from the application of computer modeling and simulation techniques. This paper reviews the literature regarding computational studies of HS, with a specific focus on molecular dynamics simulations. Significant achievements, outstanding issues, and future prospects are summarized and discussed

Long-Lasting Consequences of Neonatal Maternal Separation on Social Behaviors in Ovariectomized Female Mice

Maternal separation (MS) stress is known to induce long-lasting alterations in emotional and anxiety-related behaviors, but effects on social behaviors are not well defined. The present study examined MS effects on female social behaviors in the social investigation (SIT) and social preference (SPT) tests, in addition to non-social behaviors in the open-field (OFT) and light-dark transition (LDT) tests in C57BL/6J mice. All females were tested as ovariectomized to eliminate confounding effects of endogenous estrogen during behavioral testing. Daily MS (3 hr) from postnatal day 1 to 14 did not affect anxiety levels in LDT, but were elevated in OFT with modified behavioral responses to the novel environment. Furthermore, MS altered social investigative behaviors and preference patterns toward unfamiliar stimulus mice in SIT and short- and long-term SPT paradigms. In SIT, MS reduced social investigation duration and increased number of stretched approaches towards both female and male unfamiliar stimulus mice, suggesting increased social anxiety levels in MS females. Similarly, MS heightened levels of social anxiety during short-term SPT but no MS effect on social preference was found. On the other hand, MS females displayed a distinctive preference for female stimuli, unlike control females, when tested for long-term SPT over a prolonged period of 5 days. Evaluation of FosB expression in the paraventricular nucleus, medial and central amygdala following stimulus exposure demonstrated greater number of FosB immunopositive cells in all three brain regions in MS females compared to control females. These results suggest that MS females might differ in neuroendocrine responses toward unfamiliar female and male opponents, which may be associated with modifications in social behaviors found in the present study. Taken together, this study provides new evidence that early life stress modifies female social behaviors by highlighting alterations in behavioral responses to situations involving social as well as non-social novelty

Denial of Reward in the Neonate Shapes Sociability and Serotonergic Activity in the Adult Rat

BACKGROUND: Manipulations of the early environment are linked to long-lasting alterations of emotionality and social capabilities. Denial of rewarding mother-pup interactions in early life of rats could serve as model for child neglect. Negative consequences for social competence in later life, accompanied by changes in the serotonergic system would be expected. In contrast, rewarding mother-pup contact should promote adequate social abilities. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Male Wistar rats trained in a T-maze during postnatal days 10-13 under denial (DER) or permission (RER) of maternal contact were tested for play behavior in adolescence and for coping with defeat in adulthood. We estimated serotonin (5-HT) levels in the brain under basal conditions and following defeat, as well as serotonin receptor 1A (5-HT1A) and serotonin transporter (SERT) expression. DER rats exhibited increased aggressive-like play behavior in adolescence (i.e. increased nape attacks, p<0.0001) and selected a proactive coping style during defeat in adulthood (higher sum of proactive behaviors: number of attacks, flights, rearings and defensive upright posture; p = 0.011, p<0.05 vs RER, non-handled-NH). In adulthood, they had lower 5-HT levels in both the prefrontal cortex (p<0.05 vs RER) and the amygdala (p<0.05 vs NH), increased 5-HT levels following defeat (PFC p<0.0001) and decreased serotonin turnover (amygdala p = 0.008). The number of 5-HT1A immunopositive cells in the CA1 hippocampal area was increased (p<0.05 DER, vs RER, NH); SERT levels in the amygdala were elevated (p<0.05 vs RER, NH), but were lower in the prefrontal cortex (p<0.05 vs NH). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Denial of expected maternal reward early in life negatively affects sociability and the serotonergic system in a complex manner. We propose that our animal model could contribute to the identification of the neurobiological correlates of early neglect effects on social behavior and coping with challenges, but also in parallel with the effects of a rewarding early-life environment

Meta-analysis of diffusion tensor imaging studies shows altered fractional anisotropy occurring in distinct brain areas in association with depression

Fractional anisotropy anomalies occurring in the white matter tracts in the brains of depressed patients may reflect microstructural changes underlying the pathophysiology of this disorder. We conducted a meta-analysis of fractional anisotropy abnormalities occurring in major depressive disorder using voxel-based diffusion tensor imaging studies. Using the Embase, PubMed and Google Scholar databases, 89 relevant data sets were identified, of which 7 (including 188 patients with major depressive disorder and 221 healthy controls) met our inclusion criteria. Authors were contacted to retrieve any additional data required. Coordinates were extracted from clusters of significant white matter fractional anisotropy differences between patients and controls. Relevant demographic, clinical and methodological variables were extracted from each study or obtained directly from authors. The meta-analysis was carried out using Signed Differential Mapping. Patients with depression showed decreased white matter fractional anisotropy values in the superior longitudinal fasciculus and increased fractional anisotropy values in the fronto-occipital fasciculus compared to controls. Using quartile and jackknife sensitivity analysis, we found that reduced fractional anisotropy in the left superior longitudinal fasciculus was very stable, with increases in the right fronto-occipital fasciculus driven by just one study. In conclusion, our meta-analysis revealed a significant reduction in fractional anisotropy values in the left superior longitudinal fasciculus, which may ultimately play an important role in the pathology of depression