Tactile Learning Within the Early Phase of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in Mice

The purpose of this study was to assess tactile learning in the early phase of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), which was induced in C57BL/6 mice by subcutaneous injections on flank of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, MOG35-55 (250 µg per mouse). Tactile learning was assessed one week after EAE induction using the novel object recognition test (NORT) in a dark room. The procedure consisted of two phases. During the training phase (T1), the animals explored two similar objects; within the test phase (T2, occurring 4 h later) the mice explored one novel and one familiar object. On average, mice developed significant behavioral disabilities related to EAE 13.2 ± 1.9 days following immunization. In the EAE group, the locomotor activity level (assessed by measuring the distance travelled) in the T1 and T2 phases did not differ significantly, as compared to the related phases in the control group (P > 0.05). Within phase T1, no reliable differences were found for the frequency (number) of visits to the sample objects and for total exploration time between experimental groups. For phase T2, no difference was also found in the discrimination ratio when comparing the control group with the EAE group. Our study demonstrates that tactile learning in male mice may not be affected 7 days after immunization with MOG35-55 (i.e., within the early EAE phase).Розвиток експериментального аутоімунного енцефаломієліту (ЕАЕ) викликали у мишей за допомогою ін’єкцій мієлінового олігодендроцитарного глікопротеїну (MOG35- 55, 250 мкг на мишу). Здатність до тактильного навчання оцінювали через один тиждень після індукції ЕАЕ, використовуючи тест впізнавання нового об’єкта (NORT) у темному приміщенні. Процедура тестування складалася з двох фаз; протягом першої з них (T1) тварини обстежували два однакових об’єкта, а в перебігу другої фази (T2) миші обстежували один новий і один раніше обстежений об’єкти. Істотні поведінкові розлади, зумовлені ЕАЕ, розвивались у мишей в середньому через 13.2 ± 1.9 доби після імунізації. У групі ЕAЕ рівень локомоторної активності (оцінюваний за відстанню, котру тварини проходили в період обстеження) в межах фаз T1 та T2 не відрізнявся істотно від такого в контрольній групі (P > 0.05). У фазі T1 не спостерігалося істотних міжгрупових різниць частоти (кількості) відвідань тест-об’єктів та загального часу, який було витрачено на ознайомлення з ними. У межах фази T2 не виявлялося також достовірних різниць величин коефіцієнта дискримінації в контрольній та ЕAЕ-групах. Отже, наші тести показали, що, видимо, тактильне навчання мишей-самцівне піддається істотним змінам через сім діб після імунізації MOG35-55 (тобто в межах ранньої фази ЕAЕ)

Application of multi-sensor satellite data for exploration of Zn-Pb sulfide mineralization in the Franklinian Basin, North Greenland

© 2018 by the authors. Geological mapping and mineral exploration programs in the High Arctic have been naturally hindered by its remoteness and hostile climate conditions. The Franklinian Basin in North Greenland has a unique potential for exploration of world-class zinc deposits. In this research, multi-sensor remote sensing satellite data (e.g., Landsat-8, Phased Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER)) were used for exploring zinc in the trough sequences and shelf-platform carbonate of the Franklinian Basin. A series of robust image processing algorithms was implemented for detecting spatial distribution of pixels/sub-pixels related to key alteration mineral assemblages and structural features that may represent potential undiscovered Zn-Pb deposits. Fusion of Directed Principal Component Analysis (DPCA) and Independent Component Analysis (ICA) was applied to some selected Landsat-8 mineral indices for mapping gossan, clay-rich zones and dolomitization. Major lineaments, intersections, curvilinear structures and sedimentary formations were traced by the application of Feature-oriented Principal Components Selection (FPCS) to cross-polarized backscatter PALSAR ratio images. Mixture Tuned Matched Filtering (MTMF) algorithm was applied to ASTER VNIR/SWIR bands for sub-pixel detection and classification of hematite, goethite, jarosite, alunite, gypsum, chalcedony, kaolinite, muscovite, chlorite, epidote, calcite and dolomite in the prospective targets. Using the remote sensing data and approaches, several high potential zones characterized by distinct alteration mineral assemblages and structural fabrics were identified that could represent undiscovered Zn-Pb sulfide deposits in the study area. This research establishes a straightforward/cost-effective multi-sensor satellite-based remote sensing approach for reconnaissance stages of mineral exploration in hardly accessible parts of the High Arctic environments

Tactile learning within the early phase of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice

The purpose of this study was to assess tactile learning in the early phase of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), which was induced in C57BL/6 mice by subcutaneous injections on flank of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, MOG35-55 (250 μg per mouse). Tactile learning was assessed one week after EAE induction using the novel object recognition test (NORT) in a dark room. The procedure consisted of two phases. During the training phase (T1), the animals explored two similar objects; within the test phase (T2, occurring 4 h later) the mice explored one novel and one familiar object. On average, mice developed significant behavioral disabilities related to EAE 13.2 ± 1.9 days following immunization. In the EAE group, the locomotor activity level (assessed by measuring the distance travelled) in the T1 and T2 phases did not differ significantly, as compared to the related phases in the control group (P > 0.05). Within phase T1, no reliable differences between experimental groups were found for the frequency (number) of visits to the sample objects and for total exploration time. For phase T2, no difference was also found in the discrimination ratio when comparing the control group with the EAE group. Our study demonstrates that tactile learning in male mice may not be affected 7 days after immunization with MOG35-55 (i.e., within the early EAE phase). © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

Increased mRNA level of orexin1 and 2 receptors following induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice

Orexin A and B are hypothalamic peptides with a wide variety of effects such as anti-inflammation and neuroprotection. Impaired function of orexin system has been reported in some neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson, Huntington and Alzheimer. In this study, the mRNA expression levels of some hypothalamic peptides were investigated in C57BL/6 female mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Animals were randomly divided into two control and EAE groups. EAE was induced by administration of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) with complete Ferund's adjuvant and pertussis toxin. Twenty-first days following immunization, mice were decapitated to remove the brains. Then, the expression profiles of prepro-orexin, orexin 1 receptors (OX1R) and orexin 2 receptors (OX2R) in hypothalamic region were assessed using real-time PCR method. In this study, we found a considerable increase in the mRNA expression of OX1R and OX2R following EAE induction in C57BL/6 mice. Elevation levels of OX1R and OX2R following EAE induction suggest that alteration in orexinergic system may involve in pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. © Copyright Winter 2016, Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol. All rights reserved

The effect of Metformin on tactile learning and anxiety like-behavior in ovariectomized mice

Introduction: Estrogen regulates many processes in the brain such as synaptic formation, learning, and memory. Empirical evidence shows that there is a correlation among menopause, memory impairment, and anxiety due to Estrogen deficiency. In this study, we tested the effect of Metformin (Met) with antioxidant effect, which can improve the impairment of tactile learning and anxiety-like behavior in ovarectomized mice. Methods: Thirty-two female mice weighting 20±5 g were randomly divided into four groups of eight, including sham group, ovariectomy, ovariectomy with doses 7 and 15 mg/kg of Met. At first, mice were ovariectomized and then they were treated with the doses of the Met or water for 21 days. Then, tactile learning (by Novel Object Recognition Test) and anxiety like-behavior (by Elevated Plus-maze) were determined. Results: Met at the doses of 7 or 15 mg/kg significantly improved tactile learning compared to the ovariectomy group. Met at the doses of 7 or 15 mg/kg significantly increased Open Arm Time (%OAT) and Open Arm Entries (%OAE) compared to the ovariectomy group. Conclusion: Met especially at the dose of 7 mg/kg showed a significant role in improving the anxiety and tactile learning in the ovariectomized mice

Role of orexin-A in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of orexin-A (OX-A) on behavioral and pathological parameters and on gene expression of some multiple sclerosis-related peptides in a model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). EAE was induced by subcutaneous administration of MOG 35-55. Following immunization, the treatment was initiated by using SB.334867 (orexin-1 receptor antagonist) and/or OX-A. Locomotor activity and exploratory behaviors were monitored using open field and T-maze continuous alternation task (T-CAT) respectively. Pain sensitivity was assessed by hot-plate test. Histopathological assessments were performed by H&E staining. The expression of TGF-β, MBP, MMP-9, IL-12, iNOS and MCP-1 were measured using real-time PCR method in lumbar spinal cord. OX-A administration in EAE mice remarkably attenuated the clinical symptoms, increased latency response in hot plate test, inhibited infiltration of inflammatory cells, up-regulated mRNA expression of TGF-β as well as MBP and down-regulated mRNA expression of iNOS, MMP-9 and IL-12. In contrast SB.334867 administration in EAE mice deteriorated the clinical symptoms, decreased the alternation in T-CAT, increased infiltration of inflammatory cells, down-regulated mRNA expression of TGF-β and MBP and up-regulated mRNA expression of iNOS. Results of this study suggest that the orexinergic system might be involved in pathological development of EAE. These findings suggest orexinergic system as a potential target for treatment of multiple sclerosis. © 2016 Elsevier B.V

Evaluation of ICA and CEM algorithms with landsat-8/ASTER data for geological mapping in inaccessible regions

Many regions remain poorly studied in terms of geological mapping and mineral exploration in inaccessible regions especially in the Arctic and Antarctica due to harsh conditions and logistic difficulties. Application of specialized image processing techniques is capable of revealing the hidden linear mixing spectra in multispectral and hyperspectral satellite images. In this study, the applications of Independent component analysis (ICA) and Constrained Energy Minimization (CEM) algorithms were evaluated for Landsat-8 and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) remote sensing data for geological mapping in Morozumi Range and Helliwell Hills areas, Northern Victoria Land (NVL), Antarctica. The results of this investigation demonstrate the capability of the two algorithms in distinguishing pixel and subpixel targets in the multispectral satellite data. The application of the methods for identifying poorly exposed geologic materials and subpixel exposures of alteration minerals has invaluable implications for geological mapping and mineral exploration in inaccessible regions