The importance of gravity vector on adult mammalian organisms: Effects of hypergravity on mouse testis

In the age of space exploration, the effect of hypergravity on human physiology is a relatively neglected topic. However, astronauts have several experiences of hypergravity during their missions. The main disturbance of altered gravity can be imputed to cell cytoskeleton alteration and physiologic homeostasis of the body. Testis has proved to be a particularly sensible organ, subject to environmental alteration and physiological disturbance. This makes testis an organ eligible for investigating the alteration following exposure to altered gravity. In our study, mice were exposed to hypergravity (3g for 14 days) in the Large Diameter Centrifuge machine (ESA, Netherland). We have observed a morphological alteration of the regular architecture of the seminiferous tubules of testis as well as an altered expression of factors involved in the junctional complexes of Sertoli cells, responsible for ensuring the morpho-functional integrity of the organ. The expression of key receptors in physiological performance, such as Androgen Receptors and Interstitial Cells Stimulating Hormone receptors, was found lower expressed. All these findings indicate the occurrence of altered physiological organ performance such as the reduction of the spermatozoa number and altered endocrine parameters following hypergravity exposure

Working memory and decision making in children with ADHD: an analysis of delay discounting with the use of the dual-task paradigm

Abstract Background Deficits in working memory tasks have been widely documented in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) studies. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of working memory load in impulsivity during decision-making processes. A delayed discounting (DD) paradigm was used, comparing children with ADHD and age-matched controls. Method Thirty-two children equally divided between typically developing and ADHD, from 8 to 10 years of age were assigned to sessions of a dual-task paradigm. In the primary task the child has to choose between two different amounts of money at different time delays, while in the secondary task the child has to repeat a random series of digits with different lengths. The experiment was conducted in a school setting. Results Compared to peers with typical development, delayed discounting was significantly stronger in children with ADHD and discounting rates increased in both groups for heavier memory loads. Furthermore, the memory load impact on frequency of immediate rewards was stronger in children with ADHD compared to typically developing children. Discussion Results are discussed in terms of the relation between working memory load and decision-making processes, their impact on impulsive behaviour in ADHD and the need for future research to understand possible neurocognitive correlates and use that information to develop better inclusive policies. </jats:sec

The importance of gravity vector on adult mammalian organisms: Effects of hypergravity on mouse testis.

In the age of space exploration, the effect of hypergravity on human physiology is a relatively neglected topic. However, astronauts have several experiences of hypergravity during their missions. The main disturbance of altered gravity can be imputed to cell cytoskeleton alteration and physiologic homeostasis of the body. Testis has proved to be a particularly sensible organ, subject to environmental alteration and physiological disturbance. This makes testis an organ eligible for investigating the alteration following exposure to altered gravity. In our study, mice were exposed to hypergravity (3g for 14 days) in the Large Diameter Centrifuge machine (ESA, Netherland). We have observed a morphological alteration of the regular architecture of the seminiferous tubules of testis as well as an altered expression of factors involved in the junctional complexes of Sertoli cells, responsible for ensuring the morpho-functional integrity of the organ. The expression of key receptors in physiological performance, such as Androgen Receptors and Interstitial Cells Stimulating Hormone receptors, was found lower expressed. All these findings indicate the occurrence of altered physiological organ performance such as the reduction of the spermatozoa number and altered endocrine parameters following hypergravity exposure

Application of a biomarker–transcriptomics approach utilizing mussels in the evaluation of the water quality in a marine coastal area of Medio Campidano (Sardinia, Italy)

A systems toxicology approach based on combination of biomarkers and transcriptomics analyses was used to assess the occurrence of a stress syndrome in mussels caged in proximity of a decommissioned mine site in marine coastal area of Medio Campidano (Sardinia, Italy). Mussels (M. galloprovincialis) were caged for 28 days in front of the Piscinas stream, supposed to drain pollutants from the abandoned mine sites (PIS), and in a reference site (CTR). The health status of transplanted mussels was determined involving a battery of nine biomarkers (stress, exposure and genotoxicity biomarkers) and applying an Expert System of Classification. Gene expression profiles were evaluated using a cDNA-microarray encompassing 1.7K sequences. The expression of mt10 and mt20 genes was further investigated in quantitative PCR analysis. Results showed a mild stress in the animals sampled at PIS: data show significant alterations (Mann–Whitney U-test, p &lt; 0.05) in Lysosomal-Membrane-Stability, Neutral-Lipid and Metallothionein content, suggesting a moderate stress induced by heavy metals exposure. The transcriptomic analysis did not show the modulation of genes involved in detoxification processes, but we found two putative sequences implicated in antibacterial humoral response and other genes involved in developmental processes. RT-Q-PCR data showed a stimulated transcription of the mt20 gene in mussels from PIS. Finally, data on bioaccumulation indicated very high levels of Pb (12 fold) and other metals at a lower extent (Fe, Mn and Cd) in the animals sampled at PIS, while PAHs were below the detection levels. This complex of data seems to indicate a possible risk for both humans and the ecosystem mainly related to the leakage of metals – mainly Pb – from the decommissioned site

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and other markers of inflammation in cats tested for Leishmania infantum and feline immunodeficiency virus antibodies

Abstract Background In endemic areas, Leishmania infantum and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) co-infection occurs in cats, and may favour a progressive course of feline leishmaniosis. Abnormalities in serum protein fractions have been reported, but inflammation markers have scarcely been studied. Erythrocyte sediment rate (ESR) is a marker of inflammation that is poorly used in veterinary medicine, but it has been evaluated in EDTA blood using a recently introduced automatic device. We studied ESR and a pool of feline markers of inflammation (MoI) in cats L. infantum (Li +) and/or FIV antibody-positive (Li +FIV+/FIV+) with the aims (a) to evaluate ESR as MoI in cats with the infectious and clinical conditions considered and (b) to provide data about a pool of MoI never investigated in the feline infections studied and in other cat diseases before. Methods This prospective controlled study included 35 study group cats (Li +, n = 20; FIV +, n = 8; Li +FIV+, n = 7) and ten healthy antibody-negative control cats. Clinical findings at physical examination and selected clinical pathological abnormalities related to inflammation were statistically analysed in relation to the infectious status and ESR values. Results ESR values were higher in Li +, FIV+, and Li +FIV+ cats compared with control cats, and 40% of the study group cats had ESR values above the reference interval (RI). ESR positively correlated with some positive MoI and negatively with some negative MoI studied. Additionally, a higher prevalence of ESR values above the RI has been detected in cats with hypoalbuminemia or hypergammaglobulinemia and higher ESR values were measured in cats with serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) fraction abnormalities. Correlations were also found with erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit and some erythrocyte indices. FIV+ and Li +FIV+ cats had a higher prevalence of increased ESR values, and almost all had SPE abnormalities and more severe clinical presentations compared with Li + cats. Conclusions Abnormal levels of MoI were found in almost all parameters studied, particularly in FIV+ and Li +FIV+ cats. Also, ESR can be used as a marker of inflammation in cats with L. infantum and/or FIV infection. Graphical Abstrac

Social Humanoid Robots for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Review of Modalities, Indications, and Pitfalls

Robot-assisted therapy (RAT) is a promising area of translational neuroscience for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). It has been widely demonstrated that this kind of advanced technological tool provides a reliable and efficient intervention for promoting social skills and communication in children with ASD. This type of treatment consists of a human-assisted social robot acting as an intervention mediator to increase competence and skills in children with ASD. Several social robots have been validated in the literature; however, an explicit technical comparison among devices has never been performed. For this reason, in this article, we provide an overview of the main commercial humanoid robots employed for ASD children with an emphasis on indications for use, pitfalls to be avoided, and recent advances. We conclude that, in the near future, a new generation of devices with high levels of mobility, availability, safety, and acceptability should be designed for improving the complex triadic interaction among teachers, children, and robots