Memory training with the method of loci for children and adolescents with ADHD—A feasibility study

The aim of this study was to investigate if training with the memory technique Method of Loci (MoL) is feasible for children and adolescents with ADHD. Twelve children (aged 9–17 years) with ADHD participated. Training with MoL was done using a mobile application, memorizing a sequence of 20–80 pictures, intended to be carried out five times per week for 4 weeks. Feasibility was assessed with pre- and post-intervention ratings, and with interviews after the training. Qualitative data were analyzed with content analysis. Those who trained with MoL performed better on memory test and reported fewer ADHD symptoms after completing the training, as compared to their baseline levels. All of these children would recommend the training to peers but the duration of training varied considerably. The participants and their parents reported that the MoL training was easy and fun to use, although lack of motivation, distractions in every-day life, and lack of routines created challenges. We conclude that training with MoL was considered feasible by most of the participants. Future research should try to make the intervention more acceptable by motivating the participants and limiting potential distractions and involving larger study groups and controls to study the efficacy of the training.</p

The Edible sea urchin, <i>E</i>. <i>esculentus</i>.

<p>Image credit: Runar Gjerp Solstad.</p

Haemolytic activity of synthetic analogues of EeCentrocin 1 and 2.

<p>The different synthetic peptide analogues of EeCentrocin 1 and 2 display minor haemolytic activity in concentrations up to 12.5 μM. EeCentrocin 2 HC displays the highest haemolytic activity (56.4% haemolysis at 100 μM).</p

Antimicrobial activities of native EeCentrocin 1, EeStrongylocin 2 and synthesised analogues of EeCentrocin 1 and 2.

<p>LC = light chain, HC = heavy chain, HC-diBr = peptide with two brominated Trp residues.</p

RP-HPLC chromatogram showing the separation of AMPs in the 40% SPE fraction of <i>E</i>. <i>esculentus</i> coelomocytes.

<p>The peptides were separated using a preparative C₁₈ column using a flow rate of 8 ml/min, and an optimised HPLC gradient protocol of 0.05% TFA/ACN in 0.05% TFA/H₂O for 60 min. One-minute fractions were collected and tested for antibacterial activity. Antibacterial fractions are marked with a black line under the chromatogram and peak fractions selected for further analysis are marked with arrows.</p

Metabolomic Profiling Reveals the <i>N</i>‑Acyl-Taurine Geodiataurine in Extracts from the Marine Sponge <i>Geodia macandrewii</i> (Bowerbank)

A metabolomic approach was used to identify known and new natural products from the marine sponges <i>Geodia baretti</i> and <i>G. macandrewii</i>. <i>G. baretti</i> is known to produce bioactive natural products such as barettin (<b>1</b>), 8,9-dihydrobarettin (<b>2</b>), and bromobenzisoxazolone barettin (<b>3</b>), while secondary metabolites from <i>G. macandrewii</i> are not reported in the literature. Specimens of the two sponges were collected from different sites along the coast of Norway, and their extracts were analyzed using UHPLC-HR-MS. Metabolomic analyses revealed that extracts from both species contained barettin (<b>1</b>) and 8,9-dihydrobarettin (<b>2</b>), and all samples of <i>G. baretti</i> contained higher amounts of both compounds compared to <i>G. macandrewii</i>. The analysis of the MS data also revealed that samples of <i>G. macandrewii</i> contained a compound that was not present in any of the <i>G. baretti</i> samples. This new compound was isolated and identified as the <i>N</i>-acyl-taurine geodiataurine (<b>4</b>), and it was tested for antioxidant, anticancer, and antibacterial properties

Novel Antimicrobial Peptides EeCentrocins 1, 2 and EeStrongylocin 2 from the Edible Sea Urchin <i>Echinus esculentus</i> Have 6-Br-Trp Post-Translational Modifications - Fig 5

<p><b>Evolutionary relationships of A) centrocins and B) strongylocins identified in <i>E</i>. <i>esculentus</i>, <i>S</i>. <i>droebachiensis</i> and <i>S</i>. <i>purpuratus</i>.</b> The evolutionary history was inferred using the Neighbour-joining method [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0151820#pone.0151820.ref039" target="_blank">39</a>] and the optimal trees are shown. The percentage of replicate trees in which the proteins clustered together during the bootstrap test (500 replicates) is given next to the nodes [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0151820#pone.0151820.ref055" target="_blank">55</a>]. The tree is drawn to scale, with branch lengths in the same units as those of the evolutionary distances used to infer the phylogenetic tree. The evolutionary distances were computed using the Poisson correction method [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0151820#pone.0151820.ref040" target="_blank">40</a>]. Accession numbers are given in parentheses.</p

Characterisation of the post-translational modifications of EeCentrocin 1 HC.

<p>High-resolution mass spectra showing the <i>m/z</i> isotope cluster corresponding to the [M+H]⁺ ions of A) Main peptide fragment from a tryptic digest of native EeCentrocin 1, B) Synthesised fragment GW_BrW_BrR, and C) Calculated isotope distribution of [GW_BrW_BrR+H]⁺. The identical and distinctive distributions (A, B and C) of the singly charged isotopes indicate the presence of two Br-Trp residues in EeCentrocin 1.</p

Multiple sequence alignment of Ee4835 and Ee5024 with homologues in <i>S</i>. <i>droebachiensis</i> and <i>S</i>. <i>purpuratus</i>.

<p>In the aligned sequences, grey indicates identical amino acids. The predicted signal peptides, propeptides and mature peptides are marked with curly brackets. Gaps are inserted to maximise similarity. In the top row, accession numbers are given in parentheses, the mature peptide sequences are presented in the bottom rows.</p

Overall and cause-specific survival.

Cumulative overall and cause-specific survival in patients with performance status 0–2 diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in Sweden 2002–2016 by geographic region of origin.</p