Dose-dependent differential effect of neurotrophic factors on in vitro and in iivo regeneration of motor and sensory neurons

Although peripheral axons can regenerate after nerve transection and repair, functional recovery is usually poor due to inaccurate reinnervation. Neurotrophic factors promote directional guidance to regenerating axons and their selective application may help to improve functional recovery. Hence, we have characterized in organotypic cultures of spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia the effect of GDNF, FGF-2, NGF, NT-3, and BDNF at different concentrations on motor and sensory neurite outgrowth. In vitro results show that GDNF and FGF-2 enhanced both motor and sensory neurite outgrowth, NGF and NT-3 were the most selective to enhance sensory neurite outgrowth, and high doses of BDNF selectively enhanced motor neurite outgrowth. Then, NGF, NT-3, and BDNF (as the most selective factors) were delivered in a collagen matrix within a silicone tube to repair the severed sciatic nerve of rats. Quantification of Fluorogold retrolabeled neurons showed that NGF and NT-3 did not show preferential effect on sensory regeneration whereas BDNF preferentially promoted motor axons regeneration. Therefore, the selective effects of NGF and NT-3 shown in vitro are lost when they are applied in vivo, but a high dose of BDNF is able to selectively enhance motor neuron regeneration both in vitro and in vivo

The effects of 6 weeks of Tribulus terrestris L. supplementation on body composition, hormonal response, perceived exertion, and CrossFit® performance: A randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study

Producción CientíficaTribulus terrestris L. (TT) supplementation have been shown to enhance sports performance in many but not all studies. Moreover, data regarding the potential impact of TT supplementation on CrossFit® endurance is limited. This study aimed to determine whether TT supplementation improve body composition, hormonal response, and performance among CrossFit® athletes. In a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial, a total of 30 healthy CrossFit®-trained males were randomly allocated to receive either 770 mg of TT supplementation or a placebo daily for 6 weeks. Body mass, fat mass, fat composition, testosterone and cortisol levels, and CrossFit® performance (5 common Workouts of the Day: back squat, bench press, dead lift, Grace, and CrossFit® Total) were assessed before and after intervention. There were no significant group x time interactions for the outcomes of the study except for testosterone levels and bench press performance (p < 0.05). TT supplementation did not impact enhance performance or body composition in CrossFit® male athletes. However, TT supplementation may act as a testosterone booster helping the recovery after physical loads and mitigating fatigue

Family Support and Diabetes: Patient's Experiences From a Public Hospital in Peru.

Family support is crucial for managing chronic conditions but it is often overlooked when designing behavioral interventions in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). As part of the formative phase of a feasibility randomized control trial (RCT), we conducted 20 semistructured interviews with people with T2DM from Lima, Peru. Based on such results, we describe the support people with T2DM receive from their families and the role that such support has in their efforts to implement diabetes management practices. We learned that participants receive support from family members, but mostly from their spouses and children. Their relatives encourage them and motivate them to fight for their health, they also provide instrumental support by preparing healthy meals, reminding them to take medications, and sharing physical activity. Participants also reported controlling actions which were not always "well received." Thus, any intervention supporting self-management practices need to work with key family members. We support the literature that suggests that interventions should target family members to ensure improved T2DM self-management practices

Gold nanoparticle-based two-photon fluorescent nanoprobe for monitoring intracellular nitric oxide levels

Significance Nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the regulation of physiological and pathological mechanisms of the cardiovascular, nervous and immune systems; and plays an important role in cancer being involved in tumor growth and suppressing processes depending on its concentration. Approach The development of a near-infrared excitable nanoprobe, consisting of gold nanoparticles functionalized with a two-photon excitable NO probe, for the detection of intracellular NO is reported. Results The nanoprobe showed good selectivity towards NO over cellular interferences and excellent stability in aqueous-medium over time. The nanoprobe was able to selectively detect endogenous and exogenous NO in different cell lines and it accumulated in the acidic organelles showing negligible toxicity. Importantly, the nanoprobe showed potential to quantify intracellular NO concentrations in breast cancer cells. Conclusions The novel gold-based two-photon nanoprobe showed an excellent performance and versatility and could potentially be applied for the spatiotemporal monitoring of in vivo NO levels

The Effects of 6 Weeks of Tribulus terrestris L. Supplementation on Body Composition, Hormonal Response, Perceived Exertion, and CrossFit® Performance: A Randomized, Single-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

[EN] Tribulus terrestris L. (TT) supplementation have been shown to enhance sports performance in many but not all studies. Moreover, data regarding the potential impact of TT supplementation on CrossFit® endurance is limited. This study aimed to determine whether TT supplementation improve body composition, hormonal response, and performance among CrossFit® athletes. In a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial, a total of 30 healthy CrossFit®-trained males were randomly allocated to receive either 770 mg of TT supplementation or a placebo daily for 6 weeks. Body mass, fat mass, fat composition, testosterone and cortisol levels, and CrossFit® performance (5 common Workouts of the Day: back squat, bench press, dead lift, Grace, and CrossFit® Total) were assessed before and after intervention. There were no significant group x time interactions for the outcomes of the study except for testosterone levels and bench press performance (p < 0.05). TT supplementation did not impact enhance performance or body composition in CrossFit® male athletes. However, TT supplementation may act as a testosterone booster helping the recovery after physical loads and mitigating fatigueS

Innovative In Situ and Ex Situ Conservation Strategies of the Madonie Fir Abies nebrodensis

Abies nebrodensis (Lojac.) Mattei is an endemic species of the north-west of Sicily located in an 84 ha area in the Madonie Regional park. The current population is limited to 30 relic adult trees and a fluctuating number of juveniles of natural regeneration. The species is defined as “Critically Endangered” in the Italian list of threatened plants and is classified as CR-D in the 2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This article reports the key action undertaken by the LIFE4FIR project aimed at preserving A. nebrodensis, and the results obtained so far in three years of activity. OpenArrays SNPs genotyping revealed a high rate of inbreeding in the natural population and that the adult trees are genetically related. Controlled cross-pollination was consequently performed to increase the genetic variability of the progeny. Outbred offspring are currently being grown in the nursery. Reforestation has been planned by using 4000 selected outbred seedlings in 10 areas within Madonie Park to create re-diffusion cores. Support and protection of the relic population have been implemented through regular phytosanitary surveys, as well as new fencing and video surveillance systems against grazing and wild herbivores. A seedbank and cryobank for the long-term germplasm conservation have been established.European Union LIFE18/NAT/IT/00016

Preferential enhancement of sensory and motor axon regeneration by combining extracellular matrix components with neurotrophic factors

After peripheral nerve injury, motor and sensory axons are able to regenerate but inaccuracy of target reinnervation leads to poor functional recovery. Extracellular matrix (ECM) components and neurotrophic factors (NTFs) exert their effect on different neuronal populations creating a suitable environment to promote axonal growth. Here, we assessed in vitro and in vivo the selective effects of combining different ECM components with NTFs on motor and sensory axons regeneration and target reinnervation. Organotypic cultures with collagen, laminin and nerve growth factor (NGF)/neurotrophin-3 (NT3) or collagen, fibronectin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) selectively enhanced sensory neurite outgrowth of DRG neurons and motor neurite outgrowth from spinal cord slices respectively. For in vivo studies, the rat sciatic nerve was transected and repaired with a silicone tube filled with a collagen and laminin matrix with NGF/NT3 encapsulated in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres (MP) (LM + MP.NGF/NT3), or a collagen and fibronectin matrix with BDNF in PLGA MPs (FN + MP.BDNF). Retrograde labeling and functional tests showed that LM + MP.NGF/NT3 increased the number of regenerated sensory neurons and improved sensory functional recovery, whereas FN + MP.BDNF preferentially increased regenerated motoneurons and enhanced motor functional recovery. Therefore, combination of ECM molecules with NTFs may be a good approach to selectively enhance motor and sensory axons regeneration and promote appropriate target reinnervatio

Aplicaciones de conteo de calorías en pacientes con trastornos de conducta alimentaria.

Eating disorders (ED) are psychiatric illnesses with genetic, metabolic, and neurological bases that are frequent in the adolescent population. Adolescents are the major users of applications on smartphones; there are applications for counting calories that could impact the development of an eating disorder. This study is conducted with the aim of better understanding the smartphone applications used by a sample of patients with ED and their influence on the emergence of their illness. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study was carried out with patients diagnosed with an ED according to DSM V criteria. The EDE-Q and a qualitative questionnaire regarding smartphone applications for calorie counting. Results: In our sample n=54, the average age was 15.5 years (8-21), the sample was mostly female (92%), and the most frequent diagnosis was anorexia (70.3%). Most participants had more than one application downloaded. The calorie counter with the most downloads was MyFitnessPal, followed by Lifesum. The participants answered that the use of these applications influenced the development of ther eating disorder. Conclusion: The information regarding the use of calorie counting applications can help parents to supervise their use and health professionals to be able to incorporate questions about their use and potential abuse into the medical interview, as well as familiarize themselves with their impact on populations at risk for development of an ED.Los trastornos de conducta alimentaria (TCA) son enfermedades psiquiátricas con bases genéticas, metabólicas y neurológicas frecuentes en la población adolescente. Los adolescentes son los mayores usuarios de aplicaciones electrónicas en teléfonos inteligentes; existen aplicaciones de conteo de calorías que pudieran afectar el desarrollo de los TCA. Se realiza este estudio con el objetivo de conocer las aplicaciones utilizadas en una población de pacientes con TCA y su afección en el desarrollo de su enfermedad. Material y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio de Cohorte prospectivo en pacientes con Diagnóstico de TCA por los criterios del DSM V ;se aplicaron los cuestionarios EDE-Q y un cuestionario cualitativo sobre aplicaciones en teléfonos inteligentes en relación al conteo de calorías. Resultados: En nuestra población n=54 la edad promedio fue de 15.5 años (8-21) en su mayoría población femenina (92%), el TCA más frecuente fue anorexia (70.3%). La mayoría tenía descargada más de una aplicación. La aplicación de conteo de calorías más frecuentemente descargada fue MyFitnessPal seguido de Lifesum. Las participantes consideran que éstas aplicaciones contribuyeron al desarrollo de su enfermedad. Conclusión: El conocimiento del uso de aplicaciones de conteo de calorías&nbsp; puede ayudar a los padres de familia a vigilar y supervisar su uso y a los profesionales de salud a poder interrogar su uso y abuso&nbsp; y los efectos en población vulnerable a diagnosticar&nbsp; un TCA

Measurements of Higgs boson production and couplings in diboson final states with the ATLAS detector at the LHC

Measurements are presented of production properties and couplings of the recently discovered Higgs boson using the decays into boson pairs, H →γ γ, H → Z Z∗ →4l and H →W W∗ →lνlν. The results are based on the complete pp collision data sample recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider at centre-of-mass energies of √s = 7 TeV and √s = 8 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 25 fb−1. Evidence for Higgs boson production through vector-boson fusion is reported. Results of combined fits probing Higgs boson couplings to fermions and bosons, as well as anomalous contributions to loop-induced production and decay modes, are presented. All measurements are consistent with expectations for the Standard Model Higgs boson