The Neuroprotective Disease-Modifying Potential of Psychotropics in Parkinson's Disease

Neuroprotective treatments in Parkinson's disease (PD) have remained elusive. Psychotropics are commonly prescribed in PD without regard to their pathobiological effects. The authors investigated the effects of psychotropics on pathobiological proteins, proteasomal activity, mitochondrial functions, apoptosis, neuroinflammation, trophic factors, stem cells, and neurogenesis. Only findings replicated in at least 2 studies were considered for these actions. Additionally, PD-related gene transcription, animal model, and human neuroprotective clinical trial data were reviewed. Results indicate that, from a PD pathobiology perspective, the safest drugs (i.e., drugs least likely to promote cellular neurodegenerative mechanisms balanced against their likelihood of promoting neuroprotective mechanisms) include pramipexole, valproate, lithium, desipramine, escitalopram, and dextromethorphan. Fluoxetine favorably affects transcription of multiple genes (e.g., MAPT, GBA, CCDC62, HIP1R), although it and desipramine reduced MPTP mouse survival. Haloperidol is best avoided. The most promising neuroprotective investigative priorities will involve disease-modifying trials of the safest agents alone or in combination to capture salutary effects on H3 histone deacetylase, gene transcription, glycogen synthase kinase-3, α-synuclein, reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), apoptosis, inflammation, and trophic factors including GDNF and BDNF

On the Quantum Phase Operator for Coherent States

In papers by Lynch [Phys. Rev. A41, 2841 (1990)] and Gerry and Urbanski [Phys. Rev. A42, 662 (1990)] it has been argued that the phase-fluctuation laser experiments of Gerhardt, B\"uchler and Lifkin [Phys. Lett. 49A, 119 (1974)] are in good agreement with the variance of the Pegg-Barnett phase operator for a coherent state, even for a small number of photons. We argue that this is not conclusive. In fact, we show that the variance of the phase in fact depends on the relative phase between the phase of the coherent state and the off-set phase $\phi_0$ of the Pegg-Barnett phase operator. This off-set phase is replaced with the phase of a reference beam in an actual experiment and we show that several choices of such a relative phase can be fitted to the experimental data. We also discuss the Noh, Foug\`{e}res and Mandel [Phys.Rev. A46, 2840 (1992)] relative phase experiment in terms of the Pegg-Barnett phase taking post-selection conditions into account.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures. Typographical errors and misprints have been corrected. The outline of the paper has also been changed. Physica Scripta (in press

Effectiveness of physical conditioning practices for female military personnel

Aim: to investigate the most effective physical conditioning practices for female military personnel.Design: Systematic review.Method: Following the PRISMA guidelines and protocol registered with OSF, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and reference lists of included studies were searched using the themes ‘female’, ‘military’ and ‘conditioning’. Dedicated inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Critical appraisal and data extraction were performed independently by two authors.Results: Seven of 6,317 citations were included in the study. The mean quality score of the studies was considered ‘good’ (64.4±16.4%). All included studies incorporated strength and aerobic endurance training as a training paradigm; 71% included power specific training; and 43% included occupational specific task training. Improvements in fitness included 50% increase of 1-RM strength, 18.4% increase in VO2max and 14.1% decrease in pack march time.Conclusion: The volume of evidence suggests that several training modalities, including strength, power, and aerobic endurance, can optimise both training adaptations and occupational performance for female soldiers. This review provides summary evidence to assist in informing optimal training practices and guide future direction of research

The Classification of Obsessive–Compulsive and Related Disorders in the ICD-11

Background To present the rationale for the new Obsessive–Compulsive and Related Disorders (OCRD) grouping in the Mental and Behavioural Disorders chapter of the Eleventh Revision of the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11), including the conceptualization and essential features of disorders in this grouping. Methods Review of the recommendations of the ICD-11 Working Group on the Classification for OCRD. These sought to maximize clinical utility, global applicability, and scientific validity. Results The rationale for the grouping is based on common clinical features of included disorders including repetitive unwanted thoughts and associated behaviours, and is supported by emerging evidence from imaging, neurochemical, and genetic studies. The proposed grouping includes obsessive–compulsive disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, hypochondriasis, olfactory reference disorder, and hoarding disorder. Body-focused repetitive behaviour disorders, including trichotillomania and excoriation disorder are also included. Tourette disorder, a neurological disorder in ICD-11, and personality disorder with anankastic features, a personality disorder in ICD-11, are recommended for cross-referencing. Limitations Alternative nosological conceptualizations have been described in the literature and have some merit and empirical basis. Further work is needed to determine whether the proposed ICD-11 OCRD grouping and diagnostic guidelines are mostly likely to achieve the goals of maximizing clinical utility and global applicability. Conclusion It is anticipated that creation of an OCRD grouping will contribute to accurate identification and appropriate treatment of affected patients as well as research efforts aimed at improving our understanding of the prevalence, assessment, and management of its constituent disorders

Evolução dos teores de matéria orgânica do solo em uma área cultivada com hortaliças em sistemas conservacionistas.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo verificar a evolução dos teores de matéria orgânica do solo (MOS) em Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico típico cultivado com hortaliças em sistemas conservacionistas há cinco anos

Plant hormone indole-3-acetic acid content in organic liquid biofertilizer.

Resumo 962-1, on line

Carbono da biomassa microbiana em solos tratados com diferentes bokashis.

Nesse trabalho foi avaliado o Carbono da Biomassa Microbiana (CBM) do solo em vasos tratados com diferentes bokashis (BA, com esterco de ave; BB, com esterco bovino e BC, produzido no CNPH) em dois solos diferentes (um naturalmente infestado com Ralstonia solanacearum coletado em Alexânia e outro artificialmente infestado preparado no CNPH).Resumo 5