Exercise Does Not Effect Context-dependent Episodic Memory

Memory has been shown to be strongly associated with the context in which it is encoded, suggesting that the context is central to the memory itself. However, the effect of exercise on context dependent object recognition is not fully known. We then set out to investigate the effect of exercise on context dependent object recognition. In Experiment 1 we showed that a context change reduced object recognition memory but did not significantly disrupt object recognition. In Experiment 2 we assessed whether exercise would the mitigate the effect of context change. We showed that exercise does not significantly improve object recognition nor did it mitigate the effect of context change on object recognition. These results suggest that a discrete context change can significantly disrupt retrieval of object recognition memory. Our results do not agree with the body of literature related to this topic, so further inquisition into these effects should be undertaken to confirm or refute the impact of exercise on contextual object recognition

Funding Resilient Infrastructure in New Jersey: Attitudes Following a Natural Disaster

Recent major natural disasters in New Jersey have demonstrated the need to increase the resilience of transportation infrastructure. This research examines public attitudes toward revenue sources that can be dedicated to protecting vulnerable areas, most notably the transportation linkages on which the state depends. A statewide survey was conducted to gather data approximately four months following Superstorm Sandy, the costliest natural disaster in the state’s history. The authors’ objective was to sample public attitudes while the impacts of the disaster were still fresh. They found little support for temporary tax increases to improve resiliency, with the most positive support for taxing visitors (i.e., a hotel and recreational tax) and for a 30-year bond measure (i.e., taxing the future). This observation seemingly contradicts broad support for investing in new infrastructure, as well as maintaining and protecting existing infrastructure. Multivariate analysis to understand the underlying attitudes toward raising revenue found that more left-leaning or communitarian attitudes are associated with more support for gasoline, income, or sales taxes devoted to mitigating vulnerability. Those who supported investment in transit and protecting infrastructure also were more likely to support these taxes. There was no parallel finding of factors associated with taxing visitors or issuing bonds

Imaging regulatory T cell dynamics and CTLA4-mediated suppression of T cell priming

Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) maintain immune homoeostasis through mechanisms that remain incompletely defined. Here by two-photon (2P) imaging, we examine the cellular dynamics of endogenous Tregs. Tregs are identified as two non-overlapping populations in the T-zone and follicular regions of the lymph node (LN). In the T-zone, Tregs migrate more rapidly than conventional T cells (Tconv), extend longer processes and interact with resident dendritic cells (DC) and Tconv. Tregs intercept immigrant DCs and interact with antigen-induced DC: Tconv clusters, while continuing to form contacts with activated Tconv. During antigen-specific responses, blocking CTLA4-B7 interactions reduces Treg-Tconv interaction times, increases the volume of DC: Tconv clusters and enhances subsequent Tconv proliferation in vivo. Our results demonstrate a role for altered cellular choreography of Tregs through CTLA4-based interactions to limit T-cell priming

Experience with miniaturized cardiopulmonary bypass in cardiac surgery: A prospective comparison of the NovoSCI ready system to off-pump and conventional coronary artery bypass grafting

The major source of morbidity following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is the systemic inflammatory response (SIRS response) which leads to multiple derangements in different organ systems. To combat this, miniaturized cardiopulmonary bypass circuits (MCPBC) have been created to lessen the inflammatory response to CPB. Here we examine early outcomes following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using a MCPBC system compared to conventional bypass techniques at a single institution. Methods: 60 consecutive patients undergoing elective CABG were prospectively enrolled. Nine patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with conventional CPB (cCABG), 33 underwent off-pump CABG (OPCAB), and the remaining 18 patients underwent CABG with a MCPBC system. Demographics and outcomes were compared between groups and statistical analyses applied. Results: No significant difference was observed in mortality between groups, with only one death reported in total. Morbidity was also low, totaling only 6.7%, with none occurring in the MCPBC group. The MCPBC group required less PRBC and total blood product transfusion than the cCABG and OPCABG groups (p = 0.05), but changes in PLT and Hct over time were not different between groups. Conclusions: The MCPBC system was shown to be comparable to conventional bypass and OPCABG in terms of postoperative complications and mortality. Furthermore, the MCPBC system had the advantage of a decreased transfusion requirement. Based on our preliminary observations, this mini-cardiopulmonary bypass circuit provides a safe alternative to conventional bypass techniques