Prefrontal photobiomodulation produces beneficial mitochondrial and oxygenation effects in older adults with bipolar disorder

There is growing evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction and prefrontal cortex (PFC) hypometabolism in bipolar disorder (BD). Older adults with BD exhibit greater decline in PFC-related neurocognitive functions than is expected for age-matched controls, and clinical interventions intended for mood stabilization are not targeted to prevent or ameliorate mitochondrial deficits and neurocognitive decline in this population. Transcranial infrared laser stimulation (TILS) is a non-invasive form of photobiomodulation, in which photons delivered to the PFC photo-oxidize the mitochondrial respiratory enzyme, cytochrome-c-oxidase (CCO), a major intracellular photon acceptor in photobiomodulation. TILS at 1064-nm can significantly upregulate oxidized CCO concentrations to promote differential levels of oxygenated vs. deoxygenated hemoglobin (HbD), an index of cerebral oxygenation. The objective of this controlled study was to use non-invasive broadband near-infrared spectroscopy to assess if TILS to bilateral PFC (Brodmann area 10) produces beneficial effects on mitochondrial oxidative energy metabolism (oxidized CCO) and cerebral oxygenation (HbD) in older (≥50 years old) euthymic adults with BD (N = 15). As compared to sham, TILS to the PFC in adults with BD increased oxidized CCO both during and after TILS, and increased HbD concentrations after TILS. By significantly increasing oxidized CCO and HbD concentrations above sham levels, TILS has the potential ability to stabilize mitochondrial oxidative energy production and prevent oxidative damage in the PFC of adults with BD. In conclusion, TILS was both safe and effective in enhancing metabolic function and subsequent hemodynamic responses in the PFC, which might help alleviate the accelerated neurocognitive decline and dysfunctional mitochondria present in BD

Clinical practice: Noninvasive respiratory support in newborns

The most important goal of introducing noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been to decrease the need for intubation and, therefore, mechanical ventilation in newborns. As a result, this technique may reduce the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). In addition to nasal CPAP, improvements in sensors and flow delivery systems have resulted in the introduction of a variety of other types of NIV. For the optimal application of these novelties, a thorough physiological knowledge of mechanics of the respiratory system is necessary. In this overview, the modern insights of noninvasive respiratory therapy in newborns are discussed. These aspects include respiratory support in the delivery room; conventional and modern nCPAP; humidified, heated, and high-flow nasal cannula ventilation; and nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation. Finally, an algorithm is presented describing common practice in taking care of respiratory distress in prematurely born infants

Physiological and perceptual responses to incremental exercise testing in healthy men: effect of exercise test modality

In a randomized cross-over study of 15 healthy men aged 20-30 years, we compared physiological and perceptual responses during treadmill and cycle exercise test protocols matched for increments in work rate – the source of increased locomotor muscle metabolic and contractile demands. The rates of O2 consumption (V̇O2) and CO2 production (V̇CO2) were higher at the peak of treadmill vs. cycle testing (p≤0.05). Nevertheless, work rate, minute ventilation (V̇E), tidal volume (VT), breathing frequency (fR), inspiratory capacity (IC), inspiratory reserve volume (IRV), tidal esophageal (Pes,tidal) and transdiaphragmatic pressure swings (Pdi,tidal), peak expiratory gastric pressures (Pga,peak), the root mean square of the diaphragm EMG (EMGdi,rms) expressed as a percentage of maximum EMGdi,rms (EMGdi,rms%max), and dyspnea ratings were similar at the peak of treadmill vs. cycle testing (p>0.05). Ratings of leg discomfort were higher at the peak of cycle vs. treadmill exercise (p≤0.05), even though peak V̇O2 was lower during cycling. V̇O2, V̇CO2, V̇E, fR, Pes,tidal, Pdi,tidal and Pga,peak were higher (p≤0.05), while VT, IC, IRV, EMGdi,rms%max, and ratings of dyspnea and leg discomfort were similar (p>0.05) at all or most submaximal work rates during treadmill vs. cycle exercise. Our findings highlight important differences (and similarities) in physiological and perceptual responses at maximal and submaximal work rates during incremental treadmill and cycle exercise testing protocols. The lack of effect of exercise test modality on peak work rate advocates for the use of this readily available parameter to optimize training intensity determination, regardless of exercise training mode.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Target selection for the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE)

The Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) is a high-resolution infrared spectroscopic survey spanning all Galactic environments (i.e., bulge, disk, and halo), with the principal goal of constraining dynamical and chemical evolution models of the Milky Way. APOGEE takes advantage of the reduced effects of extinction at infrared wavelengths to observe the inner Galaxy and bulge at an unprecedented level of detail. The survey’s broad spatial and wavelength coverage enables users of APOGEE data to address numerous Galactic structure and stellar populations issues. In this paper we describe the APOGEE targeting scheme and document its various target classes to provide the necessary background and reference information to analyze samples of APOGEE data with awareness of the imposed selection criteria and resulting sample properties. APOGEE’s primary sample consists of ∼105 red giant stars, selected to minimize observational biases in age and metallicity. We present the methodology and considerations that drive the selection of this sample and evaluate the accuracy, efficiency, and caveats of the selection and sampling algorithms. We also describe additional target classes that contribute to the APOGEE sample, including numerous ancillary science programs, and we outline the targeting data that will be included in the public data releases