EMG-based visual-haptic biofeedback: a tool to improve motor control in children with primary dystonia.

New insights suggest that dystonic motor impairments could also involve a deficit of sensory processing. In this framework, biofeedback, making covert physiological processes more overt, could be useful. The present work proposes an innovative integrated setup which provides the user with an electromyogram (EMG)-based visual-haptic biofeedback during upper limb movements (spiral tracking tasks), to test if augmented sensory feedbacks can induce motor control improvement in patients with primary dystonia. The ad hoc developed real-time control algorithm synchronizes the haptic loop with the EMG reading; the brachioradialis EMG values were used to modify visual and haptic features of the interface: the higher was the EMG level, the higher was the virtual table friction and the background color proportionally moved from green to red. From recordings on dystonic and healthy subjects, statistical results showed that biofeedback has a significant impact, correlated with the local impairment, on the dystonic muscular control. These tests pointed out the effectiveness of biofeedback paradigms in gaining a better specific-muscle voluntary motor control. The flexible tool developed here shows promising prospects of clinical applications and sensorimotor rehabilitation

Calcareous Nannofossil and Calpionellid calcification events across Tithonian \u2013 Berriasian time interval and low latitudes paleoceanographic implications.

The Tithonian-Berriasian time interval is characterized by a major calcareous nannofossil speciation episode and by the appearance of calpionellid group: several genera and species first appear and evolve, showing an increase in diversity, abundance and particularly in calcification degree. This time interval is also characterized by a significant low latitudes increase of carbonate-rich sediments (Rosso ad Aptici fm. toward Maiolica fm.). Calcareous nannofossil and calpionellid biostratigraphy and absolute abundances have been performed on low latitudes selected sections in order to reconstruct biogenic calcite palaeofluxes. Calpionellid has been investigated on thin sections (25\u3bcm thick), while calcareous nannofossil on the same thinnered thin sections (up to 7\ub5m thick) used for calpionellid. All specimens have been counted on 1 cm2 of thin section or 1 mm2 of ultra-thin section respectively for calpionellid and calcareous nannofossil. Paleofluxes have been obtained integrating absolute abundance with single speciment mass weigh (10-12gr of calcareous carbonate) per area unit (cm2) per time unit (yr). Calcareous biogenic paleofluxes point out a link between the lithologic changes and calcified plankton evolution across the Tithonian \u2013 Berriasian interval. During Lower Tithonian (Rosso ad Aptici Fm.) a first calcification event is characterized by nannolith (F.multicolumnatus, C.mexicana, P.beckmannii) increase in abundance, size and calcification degree, followed by the occurrence of first calcified calpionellid (Tintinopsella). Across Upper Tithonian to Lower Berriasian (Rosso ad Aptici fm. \u2013 Maiolica transition and Maiolica fm.) a second bigger calcification event is characterized by a dramatic increase of nannoconid abundance and calcification degree reaching lithogenetic amounts, concomitant with a moderate abundance increase of calcified calpionellid (genera Crassicollaria, Calpionella, Remaniella). Linkages between calcareous nannofossil and calpionellid evolutions with geologic, palaeoceanographic or palaeoclimatic events are inferred. The diversification and biomineralization of high-calcified plankton produced a major increase in pelagic carbonate sedimentation due to the onset of paleoenvrionmental conditions favorable to calcification. The diversification and proliferation of nannolith and nannoconid, interpreted as inhabitants of the lower photic zone, might indicate the establishment of a thermocline/nutricline in the deep photic zone, suggesting the develope of oligotrophic and stable oceanic conditions. It is also suggested that Tithonian-Berriasian calcified plankton evolution could be controlled by a decrease in pCO2, due to decreased spreading rate and/or increased weathering rate (87Sr/86Sr) and cool climatic conditions, concomitant with a decrease in oceanic Mg/Ca ratio values. Both factors thermodynamically promoted low Mg-CaCO3 and CaCO3 biomineralization supporting calpionellid and calcareous nannofossil abundance and calcification rate increases

Calpionellid and calcareous nannofossil evolution and calcification across Tithonian-Berriasian interval (Tethys Ocean).

The Tithonian-Berriasian interval is characterized by the appearance of calpionellid and by a major calcareous nannofossil speciation episode: several genera and species first appear and evolve, showing an increase in diversity, abundance and calcification degree. Monte Pernice and Torre de Busi sections (Southern Alps, Italy) have been analyzed for calcareous nannofossil and calpionellid biostratigraphy, relative and absolute abundances and to reconstruct biogenic calcite palaeofluxes. Calcareous nannofossils have been investigated on simple smear slides and ultra-thin sections (7-8 \ub5m thick) calpionellids on the same thin sections (20-30 \u3bcm thick). All nannofossil specimens have been counted on 1 mm2 of ultra-thin section; all calpionellid specimens on 1 cm2 of thin sections to reconstruct paleofluxes. In the Tithonian- Berriasian interval all known calcareous nannofossil Zones and corresponding Subzones (Bralower et al., 1989) have been recognized. Chitinoidella, Crassicollaria and Calpionella Zones have been identified (Remane, 1986; Pop, 1994b; Reh\ue1kov\ue1 & Michal\uedk, 1997; Andreini et al., 2007). Quantitative calpionellid and nannofossil analyses point out major changes during the Tithonian \u2013 Berriasian interval: nannolith taxa (F.multicolumnatus, C.mexicana, P.beckmannii) increase in abundance, size and calcification degree in discrete steps across the Lower Tithonian, coeval with the occurrence of first calcified calpionellids (Tintinopsella). Nannoconids and calcified calpionellids (Crassicollaria, Calpionella, Remaniella) increase across the Tithonian/Berriasian boundary reaching lithogenetic abundances: the rise in high-calcified nannoconids roughly corresponds with the Acme of C. alpina spherical forms. The diversification and biomineralization of highly-calcified microplankton produced a major increase in pelagic carbonate sedimentation due to the onset of paleoenvrionmental conditions favorable to calcification

Integrated bio- and magnetostratigraphy of the Tithonian \u2013 Berriasian interval in the Tethys Ocean: implications for the definition of the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary.

The Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary time interval is characterized by a major calcareous nannofossil speciation episode: several successful genera and species first appear and rapidly evolve, particularly nannolith genera show a progressive increase in diversity, abundance and degree of calcification through time (Roth, 1989; Bralower et al., 1989; Erba & Quadrio, 1989; Bornemann et al., 2003; Bown et al., 2004; Tremolada et al., 2006; Casellato & Erba, 2007). In the Tethys ocean this event is associated with a major change in pelagic sedimentation from predominantly siliceous to mostly calcareous (transition from Rosso ad Aptici /Rosso Ammonitico Superiore to Maiolica). Magneto- and calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy, and nannofloral relative and absolute abundances have been investigated on selected Tethyan land sections (Monte Pernice, Torre de Busi, Foza, Colma di Vignole, Frisoni - Southern Alps, Italy) in order to integrate calcareous nannofossil events with the polarity chron sequence and, where available, with calpionellid biostratigraphy. Biostratigraphic investigations have been performed directly on un-heated magneto-core end pieces: calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy, relative and absolute abundances have been performed on simple smear slides and ultra-thin sections (7-8 \ub5m thick), calpionellid biostratigraphy has been investigated on thin sections. All known calcareous nannofossil Zones and Subzones (Bralower et al., 1989) have been recognized. Differences in some taxa ranges have been also pointed out, due to the high-resolution sampling (one sample every 5 - 40 cm). Chitinoidella, Crassicollaria and Calpionella Zones have been identified across the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary (Remane, 1986; Pop, 1994b; Reh\ue1kov\ue1 & Michal\uedk, 1997). Nine polarity chrons (from CM24 to CM17) have been identified. Quantitative nannofossil studies indicate that nannolith taxa (firstly F.multicolumnatus, then C.mexicana, finally P.beckmannii) increase significantly in abundance, size and degree of calcification gaining lithogenetic proportion. The abundance acmes are reached in discrete steps between calcareous nannofossil Zones NJ-20B and NJK-A, in the interval marked by the first occurrence of calcified calpionellids. Nannoconids also appear and rapidly evolve across the Tithonian/Berriasian boundary, reaching lithogenetic abundances from calcareous nannofossil Subzone NJK-C to NK-1. High nannoconid abundances are concomitant with the well known Acme of Calpionella alpina spherical forms, both contributing to most Maiolica micrite. Calibration with magnetostratigraphy indicates that these trends could be very useful as additional bio-horizons in the Tithonian and for locating the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary, especially when ammonites are absent, as in the Tethyan Maiolica. In particular, the speciation of highly-calcified nannofossil forms, and the remarkable abundance and size increase, could provide new reliable stratigraphic events for the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary interval in low latitudinal pelagic and hemipelagic sequences. We emphasize that integrated stratigraphy based on calcareous nannofossil and capionellid events and magnetostratigraphy, is a powerful tool for characterizing the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary interval at enhanced resolution

GM1 promotes TrkA-mediated neuroblastoma cell differentiation by occupying a plasma membrane domain different from TrkA

Recently, we highlighted that the ganglioside GM1 promotes neuroblastoma cells differentiation by activating the TrkA receptor through the formation of a TrkA\u2013GM1 oligosaccharide complex at the cell surface. To study the TrkA\u2013GM1 interaction, we synthesized two radioactive GM1 derivatives presenting a photoactivable nitrophenylazide group at the end of lipid moiety, 1 or at position 6 of external galactose, 2; and a radioactive oligosaccharide portion of GM1 carrying the nitrophenylazide group at position 1 of glucose, 3. The three compounds were singly administered to cultured neuroblastoma Neuro2a cells under established conditions that allow cell surface interactions. After UV activation of photoactivable compounds, the proteins were analyzed by PAGE separation. The formation of cross-linked TrkA\u2013GM1 derivatives complexes was identified by both radioimaging and immunoblotting. Results indicated that the administration of compounds 2 and 3, carrying the photoactivable group on the oligosaccharide, led to the formation of a radioactive TrkA complex, while the administration of compound 1 did not. This underlines that the TrkA\u2013GM1 interaction directly involves the GM1 oligosaccharide, but not the ceramide. To better understand how GM1 relates to the TrkA, we isolated plasma membrane lipid rafts. As expected, GM1 was found in the rigid detergent-resistant fractions, while TrkA was found as a detergent soluble fraction component. These results suggest that TrkA and GM1 belong to separate membrane domains: probably TrkA interacts by \u2018flopping\u2019 down its extracellular portion onto the membrane, approaching its interplay site to the oligosaccharide portion of GM1. (Figure presented.)

Urinary IgG and α 2-macroglobulin are powerful predictors of outcome and responsiveness to steroids and cyclophosphamide in idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis with nephrotic syndrome

Objective. To assess whether high-molecular-weight proteins excretion predicts outcome and therapy-responsiveness in patients with FSGS and nephrotic syndrome. Research Design and Methods. Thirty-eight patients measured at biopsy fractional excretion of IgG (FEIgG) and urinary \u3b12-macroglobulin/ creatinine ratio (\u3b12m/C). Low and high risk groups were defined by cutoffs assessed by ROC analysis. In all patients first-line therapy was with steroids alone or in combination with cyclophosphamide. Results. \u3b12m/C and FEIgG were correlated with segmental sclerosis (r=0.546; r=0.522). Twenty-three patients (61%) entered Remission and 9 (24%) progressed to ESRD. Comparing low and high risk groups, by univariate analysis remission was predicted by FEIgG (77% versus 25%, P=0.016) and \u3b12m/C (81% versus 17%, P=0.007) and ESRD at best by FEIgG (0% versus 75%, P<0.0001) and \u3b12m/C (4% versus 67%, P<0.0001). By multivariate analysis FEIgG was the only independent predictor of remission and \u3b12m/C the most powerful predictor of ESRD. Low and high risk groups of FEIgG and \u3b12m/C in combination had very high predictive value of sustained remission and ESRD in response to therapy. Conclusions. FEIgG and \u3b12m/C are powerful predictors of outcome and responsiveness to steroids and cyclophosphamide; their predictive value, if validated in prospective studies, may be useful in clinical practice suggesting first-line alternative treatments in high risk patients

Calcareous nannofossil data and magnetostratigraphy from the Atlantic and Tethys Oceans - An integrated approach to approximate the Jurassic/Cretaceous (J/K) boundary in low-latitudinal pelagic and hemipelagic sequences.

The Tithonian \u2013 Early Berriasian interval is characterized by a major calcareous nannofossil speciation event: several Cretaceous genera and species first appear and rapidly evolve (Bralower et al., 1989). Progressive increases in diversity, abundance and degree of calcification (Nannofossil Calcification Event \u2013 NCE; Bornemann et al., 2003) have also been documented. Integrated magneto- and calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy across the Jurassic/Cretaceous (J/K) boundary have been independently investigated in Tethyan land sections (Torre de Busi and Foza, Southern Alps) and at Atlantic Ocean DSDP sites (534A, Blake Bahama Basin and 105, Hatteras Basin). Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy, absolute and relative abundances have been obtained using three different techniques: random settling slides (Geisen et al., 1999), simple smear slides and ultra-thin sections (7-8 \ub5m thick). Similar variations in nannofloral abundance and composition, including the NCE, have been documented in both Atlantic and Tethys oceans (low latitude associations). All known calcareous nannofossil Zones and corresponding Subzones, following the biostratigraphic scheme of Bralower et al. (1989), have been recognized: NJ-19b; NJ-20a, NJ-20b; NJK-A, NJK-B, NJK-C across J/K boundary, NJK-D; NK-1 In the Middle Tithonian the nannoliths taxa C. mexicana minor, C. mexicana mexicana, and P. beckmannii increase significantly in abundance (Bornemann et al., 2003; Tremolada et al., 2006): the maximum relative abundance is reached between the calcareous nannofossil Zone NJ-20B and early NJK-A (Atlantic Ocean) or NJK-B (Tethys Ocean), followed by a decrease through NJK-A and NJK-B. Nannoconids appear and rapidly evolve across the J/K boundary reaching high relative abundances in the lowermost Berriasian (from calcareous nannofossil Subzone NJK-C to NK-1). Quantitative and morphometric studies have identified new potential events. Relative abundances of the placolith genera Watznaueria and the nannolith genera Conusphaera show opposite trends, while morphometric analysis show a size increase of placoliths, nannoliths and nannoconids during NCEs both in the Atlantic and Tethyan sections: calibration with magnetostratigraphy indicate that these trends are useful as additional bio-horizons for locating the J/K boundary. Calcareous nannofossil zonations and abundance variations of tethyan Torre de Busi section have also been correlated with calpionellid biostratigraphy, which has been investigated on the same samples used for the calcareous nannofossil study. It has been possible to identify the Chitinoidella, Crassicollaria and Calpionella Zones across the J/K boundary (Remane, 1986;Pop, 1994b and Reh\ue1kov\ue1 and Michal\uedk, 1997). Six polarity chrons (from CM22 to CM17) have been identified in DSDP site 534A, and in the tethyan land sections. The speciation of highly-calcified and dissolution resistant calcareous nannofossil forms, and related remarkable abundance and size increases, and the relative trends between genera Watznaueria and Conusphaera could provide new reliable stratigraphic tools for the approximation of the J/K boundary in low latitudinal pelagic and hemipelagic sequences in the Atlantic and Tethyan Oceans. In conclusion integrated stratigraphy, derived from the correlation among several calcareous nannofossils events, capionellid zonation and magnetostratigraphic events, can be used to characterize the J/K boundary interval, and is believed essential for defining the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary particularly in the absence of orthostratigraphic markers (e.g. ammonites). References: Bornemann, A., Aschwer, U. and Mutterlose, J., 2003. The impact of calcareous nannofossils on the pelagic carbonate accumulation across the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary. Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology, 199(3-4): 187-228. Bown, P.R. and Cooper, M.K.E., 1998. Jurassic. In: P.R. Bown (Editor), Calcareous nannofossil stratigraphy. British Micropalaeontological Society Publications Series. Kluver Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, Boston, London, pp. 34-85. Bown, P.R., Lees, J.A. and Young, J.R., 2004. Calcareous nannoplankton evolution and diversity through time. In: H. Thierstein and J.R. Young (Editors), ), Coccolithophores - From Molecular Processes to Global Impact. Springer, Berlin, pp. 481-508. Bralower, T.J., Monechi, S. and Thierstein, H.R., 1989. Calcareous nannofossil Zonation of the Jurassic-Cretaceous Boundary Interval and Correlation with the Geomagnetic Polarity Timescale. Marine Micropaleontology, 14: 153-235. Geisen, M., Bollmann, J., Herrle, J.O., Mutterlose, J. and Young, J.R., 1999. Calibration of the random settling technique for calculation of absolute abundances of calcareous nannoplankton. Micropaleontology, 45(4): 437-442. Erba, E. and Quadrio, B., 1989. Biostratigrafia a Nannofossili Calcarei, Calpionellidi e Foramminiferi planctonici della Maiolica (Titoniano superiore - Aptiano) nelle Prealpi Bresciane (Italia settentrionale). Riv. It. Paleont. Strat. 93(1): 3-108 Danelian, T. and Johnson, K.G., 2001. Patterns of biotic changes in Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous Tethyan radiolaria. Marine Micropaleontology 43: 239-260 Pop, G., 1994b. Calpionellid evolutive events and their use in biostratigraphy. Rom. J. Stratigraphy, 76: 7-24. Reh\ue1kov\ue1, D. and Michal\uedk, J., 1997: Evolution and distribution of calpionellids- the most characteristic constituents of Lower Cretaceous Tethyan microplankton. Cretaceous Research, 18: 493-504 Remane, J., 1986: Calpionellids and the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary. Acta Geologica Hungarica, 29: 15-26 Rais, P., 2007. Ph.D. Thesis Roth, P.H., 1983. Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous calcareous nannofossils in the western North Atlantic (site 534): biostratigraphy, preservation, and some observation on biogeography and paleoceanography. Init. Rep. DSDP 76: 587-621 Tremolada, F., Bornemann, A., Bralower, T.J., Koeberl, C. and van de Schootbrugge, B., 2006. Paleoceanographic changes across the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary: The calcareous phytoplankton response. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 241(3-4): 361-371. Weissert, H. and Channell, J.E.T., 1989. Tethyan carbonate carbon isotope stratigraphy across the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary: an indicator of decelerated global carbon cycling?. Paleoceanography 4(4): 483-49

Are Amphipod invaders a threat to the regional biodiversity? Conservation prospects for the Loire River

The impact of invasions on local biodiversity is well established, but their impact on regional biodiversity has so far been only sketchily documented. To address this question, we studied the impact at various observation scales (ranging from the microhabitat to the whole catchment) of successive arrivals of non-native amphipods on the amphipod assemblage of the Loire River basin in France. Amphipod assemblages were studied at 225 sites covering the whole Loire catchment. Non-native species were dominant at all sites in the main channel of the Loire River, but native species were still present at most of the sites. We found that the invaders have failed to colonize most of tributaries of the Loire River. At the regional scale, we found that since the invaders first arrived 25 years ago, the global amphipod diversity has increased by 33% (from 8 to 12 species) due to the arrival of non-native species. We discuss the possibility that the lack of any loss of biodiversity may be directly linked to the presence of refuges at the microhabitat scale in the Loire channel and in the tributaries, which invasive species have been unable to colonize. The restoration of river quality could increase the number of refuges for native species, thus reducing the impact of invader