Effects of bacterial lipopolysaccharide exposure on immune responsiveness in a rodent model of Parkinson’s disease

The effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on immune modulation in rats subjected to a right-unilateral lesion of the substantia nigra neurons by means of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), were investigated. LPS administration (250 μg) significantly decreases the total number of leukocytes and erythrocytes, as well as the hemoglobin level in the 6-OHDAlesioned rats. In addition, LPS administration was also associated with an increase, relative to control, in the erythrocyte indexes and the phagocytosis by neutrophils, and in blastic transformation of T lymphocytes. The obtained data indicated that LPS exposure might represent a risk factor for the development of the immunological changes associated with Parkinson’s disease

The association between cholesterol levels and brachial/aortic augmentation index versus cognitive status in patients with cardiovascular risk factors

Cardiovascular pathology appears to have a major impact in cognitive decline, and early identification and correction of cardiovascular morbidity could have a major protective impact on cognitive functioning. However, it is not clear how the risk factors for vascular disease can also be risk factors for a general cognitive decline. Regarding cholesterol, its implications in cognitive decline are not very well understood, considering that a high level of cholesterol has been associated with both an increased and decreased risk of dementia. In the present context, we decided to study correlations between cholesterol concentration and the various subdomains of some main psychometric tests, such as MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) and MoCA (The Montreal Cognitive Assessment), as well as some measurements for systemic arterial stiffness (brachial and aortic augmentation index) and how they correlate with the aforementioned psychometric parameters. Our results provide additional evidence for a correlation between cholesterol levels and cognitive subdomains (with special focus on orientation, attention, recent memory and long-term memory). Additionally, a significant correlation was found between the brachial and aortic augmentation index and the results of both MMSE and MOCA tests

Concept of Suicide: Neurophysiological/Genetic Theories and Possible Oxytocin Relevance

The suicidal behavior is regarded as the act by which a person seeks to take his life, being aware of the consequences of his action. In our review, besides describing the main introductory aspects for the concept of suicide, we focus our attention on the main neurophysiological and genetical mechanisms relevant for this extremely difficult to manage and controversial behavior. Moreover, considering the latest interests in the current literature on the relevance of central oxytocin to various superior cognitive behaviors, we will also make a short description on how important effects of oxytocin could be in the context of suicidal behavior.Суїцидальна поведінка – це дії, в результаті яких особа намагається позбавити себе життя, усвідомлюючи наслідки таких дій. У даному огляді, окрім опису основних загальних аспектів концепції суїциду, ми концентрували увагу на основних нейрофізіологічних та генетичних аспектах, котрі мають відношення до цього вкрай важко контрольованого та повного протиріч типу поведінки. Окрім того, враховуючи велику цікавість, яку викликає в сучасній літературі задіяність центральної окситоцинової системи в контроль когнітивної поведінки вищих типів, ми надали короткий опис того, наскільки ефекти окситоцину можуть бути важливими в контексті суїцидальної поведінки

Adsorption and coadsorption of CO and H on ruthenium surfaces

The interaction of CO with the Ru(0001) surface at several coverages (11.1, 25.0, and 33.3%) is studied, as well as the interaction of CO with a stepped Ru(0001) surface. The preference for the adsorption site (atop versus hcp) is analyzed with density of states diagrams. Hydrogen layers can be densely packed; 1 ML could, in fact, correspond to more than 100% coverage, where 100% coverage would correspond to one addatom for each metal atom on the surface. Calculations are made for 1 ML of adsorbed hydrogen up to 300% coverage for 2 x 2 supercells. The H coadsorption with CO (2 x 2 (CO + nH), n = 1, 3, 4) is discussed for different adsorption sites. The lateral interaction H-CO is repulsive. H-ads and COads prefer to form islands rather than mixed structures. CO is little influenced by coadsorption, except when 1 ML of atomic hydrogen is preadsorbed. H is strongly affected by coadsorption. The H adsorption sites become highly asymmetrical if H and CO share one metal atom