The neuro-inflammation and excitotoxicity in perinatal brain injury: The emerging role of brain mast cells

Perinatal brain injury is a serious neurodevelopmental problem that can be occurred in preterm and term newborn infants. It is well established that neuro-inflammation is implicated in the pathophysiology of perinatal brain injury. The excitotoxicity is considered as a common molecular mechanism of perinatal brain injury. These insults are capable of leading to neuro-inflammation, but however neuro-inflammation is also able to induce the excitotoxicity in the developing brain. Thus, neuro-inflammation is both a cause and a consequence of excitotoxicity resulting in the brain damages during perinatal period. Excessive glutamate accumulation in the synaptic cleft in the brain is a prominent mechanism in the excitotoxicity while vasoactive and pro-inflammatory mediators such as histamine, prostaglandins, interleukin 1 (IL-1) β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α released from brain-resident immune cells play a major role in neuro-inflammation that lead to the brain damages. Although the role of brain-resident microglial cells has been well documented in these neuro-inflammation processes, evidence for the role of brain mast cells (BMCs) has recently begun to emerge. Growing evidence indicates that brain mast cells are first responders of inflammatory insults in the developing brain and their activation is involved in induced brain injury. We have recently demonstrated that ibotenate-induced excitotoxicity leads to the activation of brain mast cells in a model of ibotenate-induced brain injury in newborn rats. Thus, in this review we point out the current knowledge on the bidirectional role of brain mast cells in neuro-inflammation and excitotoxicity underlying perinatal brain injury

Shared Fate of Meningeal Mast Cells and Sensory Neurons in Migraine

Migraine is a primary headache disorder which has complex neurogenic pathophysiological mechanisms still requiring full elucidation. The sensory nerves and meningeal mast cell couplings in the migraine target tissue are very effective interfaces between the central nervous system and the immune system. These couplings fall into three categories: intimacy, cross-talk and a shared fate. Acting as the immediate call-center of the neuroimmune system, mast cells play fundamental roles in migraine pathophysiology. Considerable evidence shows that neuroinflammation in the meninges is the key element resulting in the sensitization of trigeminal nociceptors. The successive events such as neuropeptide release, vasodilation, plasma protein extravasation, and mast cell degranulation that form the basic characteristics of the inflammation are believed to occur in this persistent pain state. In this regard, mast cells and sensory neurons represent both the target and source of the neuropeptides that play autocrine, paracrine, and neuro-endocrine roles during this inflammatory process. This review intends to contribute to a better understanding of the meningeal mast cell and sensory neuron bi-directional interactions from molecular, cellular, functional points of view. Considering the fact that mast cells play a sine qua non role in expanding the opportunities for targeted new migraine therapies, it is of crucial importance to explore these multi-faceted interactions

How to perform and interpret the lung ultrasound by the obstetricians in pregnant women during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Objective: Evidence for the use of lung ultrasound scan (LUS) examinations in coronavirus 2019 pneumonia is rapidly growing. The safe and non-ionizing nature of LUS drew attention, particularly for pregnant women. This study aimed to contribute to the interpretation of LUS findings in pregnant women for the obstetricians. Materials and Methods: LUS was performed to pregnant women suspected of or diagnosed as having Severe Acute Respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the first 24 hours of admission. Fourteen areas (3 posterior, 2 lateral, and 2 anterior) were scanned per patient for at least 10 seconds along the indicated anatomical landmarks. The scan was performed in supine, right-sided and left-sided positions, respectively. Each area was given a score between 0 and 3 according to the specific pattern. Results: In this study, 21 still images and 21 videoclips that enabled dynamic and real-time evaluation were provided. Pleural line assessment, physiologic A-lines, pathologic B-lines, light beam pattern, white lung pattern, and specific patterns for quick recognition and evaluation are described. Conclusion: The potential advantages and limitations of LUS and its areas of use for obstetricians are discussed. LUS is a promising supplementary imaging tool during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. It is easy to perform and may be feasible in the hands of obstetricians after a brief didactic course. It may be a firstline imaging modality for pregnant women

Predictive models for bacterial growth in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) 1 stored on ice

The final publication is available at Springer."The purpose of this paper was to estimate microbial growth through predictive modelling as a key element in determining the quantitative microbiological contamination of sea bass stored on ice and cultivated in different seasons of the year. In the present study, two different statistical models were used to analyse changes in microbial growth in whole, ungutted sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) stored on ice. The total counts of aerobic mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria, Pseudomonas sp., Aeromonas sp., Shewanella putrefaciens, Enterobacteriaceae, sulphide-reducing Clostridium and Photobacterium phosphoreum were determined in muscle, skin and gills over an 18-day period using traditional methods and evaluating the seasonal effect. The results showed that specific spoilage bacteria (SSB) were dominant in all tissues analysed but were mainly found in the gills. Predictive modelling showed a seasonal effect among the fish analysed. The application of these models can contribute to the improvement of food safety control by improving knowledge of the microorganisms responsible for the spoilage and deterioration of sea bass.

GPS Receiver Front-End Circuit Layers 1.575 GHz LNA and Antenna Design

GPS is used in many areas nowadays is the Global Positioning System. Founded in GPS for military purposes was opened for civilian use later. Satellite-space, control and user segment consists of 3 segments. The GPS receivers are electronic circuits for the reception of signals from this system. GPS receiver front-end circuit is composed of three layers. These layers; GPS antenna, low noise amplifier (LNA) and the second stage amplifier. In this study, the maximum gain with minimum reflection is designed to 1.575 GHz helical and microstrip simulation studies on two GPS antenna is made

Desired model compensation-based position constrained control of robotic manipulators

This work presents the design and the corresponding stability analysis of a desired model-based, joint position constrained, controller formulation for robotic manipulators. Specifically, provided that the initial joint position tracking error signal starts within some predefined region, the proposed controller ensures that the joint tracking error signal remains inside this region and approaches to zero asymptotically. Extensive numerical simulations and experimental studies performed on a two-link direct-drive planar robot are provided in order to illustrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed controller

The Effects of Different Exercise Trainings on Suprahyoid Muscle Activation, Tongue Pressure Force and Dysphagia Limit in Healthy Subjects.

Suprahyoid muscle activation and tongue pressure force play a critical role for swallowing function. In addition, dysphagia limit is one of most important factors indicating swallowing efficiency. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 8-week training sessions of three different exercises including chin tuck against resistance (CTAR), Shaker exercises and chin tuck exercise with theraband on suprahyoid muscle activity, anterior tongue pressure and dysphagia limit in healthy subjects. Thirty-six healthy volunteers aged between 18 and 40 years who scored below 3 points from Turkish version of Eating Assessment Tool (T-EAT-10) were included in the study, and all participants were divided into three groups randomly. Maximal suprahyoid muscle activations and dysphagia limit of participants were assessed by superficial electromyography. CTAR and chin tuck exercise with theraband increased the maximum suprahyoid muscle activation (p = 0.004, p = 0.018), whereas Shaker exercise did not increase maximal suprahyoid muscle activation (p = 0.507) after exercise training. CTAR and chin tuck exercise with theraband increased tongue pressure (p = 0.045, p = 0.041), while Shaker exercise did not increase anterior tongue pressure (p = 0.248). There was no statistically significant difference in dysphagia limits in three groups between before and after exercise training (p > 0.05). As a result, although CTAR seems to be the most effective exercise in most parameters, chin tuck exercise with theraband can also be used as an alternative to CTAR to improve suprahyoid muscle activity and tongue pressure