Estimation of target strength of Sardina pilchardus and Sardinella aurita by theoretical approach

The target strength (TS) patterns of Sardina pilchardus and Sardinella aurita at 38 and 120 kHz were estimated by a prolate-spheroid model, using measurements of swimbladder length and width. The ratio of swimbladder length to total length (TL) was similar in both species, however the ratio of swimbladder width to TL was smaller and more variable for S. aurita. Assuming a normal distribution of fish swimming orientation angle (θfish) with mean ± standard deviation (SD) of 0 ± 10°, the normalized (by TL) average TS (b20) was estimated to be -64.0 dB (38 kHz) and -65.2 dB (120 kHz) for S. pilchardus, and -66.2 dB (38 kHz) and -67.2 dB (120 kHz) for S. aurita. Compared with currently applied b20 values at 38 kHz, our results under four different θfish assumptions (0 ± 10°, 0 ± 15°, -5 ± 10°, and -5 ± 15°) were 6-9 dB higher for S. pilchardus and 5-7 dB higher for S. aurita. This suggests four- to eightfold overestimation risk for S. pilchardus and three- to fivefold overestimation risk for S. aurita when using the currently applied b20 values

B-type natriuretic peptide-induced delayed modulation of TRPV1 and P2X3 receptors of mouse trigeminal sensory neurons

Important pain transducers of noxious stimuli are small- and medium-diameter sensory neurons that express transient receptor vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) channels and/or adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-gated P2X3 receptors whose activity is upregulated by endogenous neuropeptides in acute and chronic pain models. Little is known about the role of endogenous modulators in restraining the expression and function of TRPV1 and P2X3 receptors. In dorsal root ganglia, evidence supports the involvement of the natriuretic peptide system in the modulation of nociceptive transmission especially via the B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) that activates the natriuretic peptide receptor-A (NPR-A) to downregulate sensory neuron excitability. Since the role of BNP in trigeminal ganglia (TG) is unclear, we investigated the expression of BNP in mouse TG in situ or in primary cultures and its effect on P2X3 and TRPV1 receptors of patch-clamped cultured neurons. Against scant expression of BNP, almost all neurons expressed NPRA at membrane level. While BNP rapidly increased cGMP production and Akt kinase phosphorylation, there was no early change in passive neuronal properties or responses to capsaicin, \u3b1,\u3b2-meATP or GABA. Nonetheless, 24 h application of BNP depressed TRPV1 mediated currents (an effect blocked by the NPR-A antagonist anantin) without changing responses to \u3b1,\u3b2-meATP or GABA. Anantin alone decreased basal cGMP production and enhanced control \u3b1,\u3b2-meATP-evoked responses, implying constitutive regulation of P2X3 receptors by ambient BNP. These data suggest a slow modulatory action by BNP on TRPV1 and P2X3 receptors outlining the role of this peptide as a negative regulator of trigeminal sensory neuron excitability to nociceptive stimuli. \ua9 2013 Vilotti et al

Artificial intelligence extension of the OSCAR-IB criteria

Artificial intelligence (AI)-based diagnostic algorithms have achieved ambitious aims through automated image pattern recognition. For neurological disorders, this includes neurodegeneration and inflammation. Scalable imaging technology for big data in neurology is optical coherence tomography (OCT). We highlight that OCT changes observed in the retina, as a window to the brain, are small, requiring rigorous quality control pipelines. There are existing tools for this purpose. Firstly, there are human-led validated consensus quality control criteria (OSCAR-IB) for OCT. Secondly, these criteria are embedded into OCT reporting guidelines (APOSTEL). The use of the described annotation of failed OCT scans advances machine learning. This is illustrated through the present review of the advantages and disadvantages of AI-based applications to OCT data. The neurological conditions reviewed here for the use of big data include Alzheimer disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson disease, and epilepsy. It is noted that while big data is relevant for AI, ownership is complex. For this reason, we also reached out to involve representatives from patient organizations and the public domain in addition to clinical and research centers. The evidence reviewed can be grouped in a five-point expansion of the OSCAR-IB criteria to embrace AI (OSCAR-AI). The review concludes by specific recommendations on how this can be achieved practically and in compliance with existing guidelines

Design and dynamic culture of 3D-scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering

Engineered scaffolds for tissue-engineering should be designed to match the stiffness and strength of healthy tissues while maintaining an interconnected pore network and a reasonable porosity. In this work, we have used 3D-plotting technique to produce poly-L-Lactide macroporous scaffolds with two different pore sizes. The ability of these macroporous scaffolds to support chondrocyte attachment and viability were compared under static and dynamic loading in vitro. Moreover, the 3D-plotting technique was combined with porogen-leaching, leading to macro/microporous scaffolds, so as to examine the effect of microporosity on the level of cell attachment and viability under similar loading condition. Canine chondrocytes' cells were seeded onto the scaffolds with different topologies, and the constructs were cultured for up to 2 weeks under static conditions or in a bioreactor under dynamic compressive strain of 10% strain, at a frequency of 1 Hz. The attachment and cell growth of chondrocytes were examined by scanning electron microscopy and by 3-(4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. A significant difference in cell attachment was observed in macroporous scaffolds with different pore sizes after 1, 7, and 14 days. Cell viability in the scaffolds was enhanced with decreasing pore size and increasing microporosity level throughout the culture period. Chondrocyte viability in the scaffolds cultured under dynamic loading was significantly higher (p<0.05) than the scaffolds cultured statically. Dynamic cell culture of the scaffolds improved cell viability and decreased the time of in vitro culture when compared to statically cultured constructs. Optimizing the culture conditions and scaffold properties could generate optimal tissue/constructs combination for cartilage repair. \ua9 2011 The Author(s).Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye