Exposure to an enriched environment promotes dendritic remodelling in hippocampal neurons affected by endogenous depression

Neuronal plasticity is enhanced in an enriched environment (EE) with more sensory and social interaction. In an animal model of endogenous depression, we have previously shown that EE has positive effects on spatial memory and hippocampus synaptic plasticity. However, nothing is known about how EE influences dendritic remodelling in hippocampal neurons affected by endogenous depression. In depressed rats, the impact of EE on hippocampus neuronal morphology was examined. Neonatal clomipramine exposure from postnatal days (PND) 8-21 days induced endogenous depression. The depressed-like rats were exposed to an enriched environment for two weeks in adulthood. Brains were then collected, stained with a modified Golgi-cox technique and, the hippocampal CA1 dendritic arborisation was evaluated using the Neurolucida software. Depression resulted in the atrophy of CA1 hippocampal neurons. The number of branching points and the overall number of dendritic intersections were reduced in depressed rats,. Exposure to an enriched environment significantly increased dendritic branching and the total number of dendritic intersections in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. The hippocampal pyramidal neuronal morphology of depressed rats improved after exposure to environmental enrichment. Neuronal plasticity and the development of novel therapeutic strategy will be improved by a greater understanding of how the environment affects neuronal morphology in depressed states

Validity of oral mucosal transudate specimens for HIV testing using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in children in Chimanimani district, Zimbabwe

Objective. To assess the validity of oral mucosal transudate (OMT) specimens for HIV testing in children using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Methods. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted as part of a community-based behavioural and HIV sero-status survey of adults and children in the Chimanimani district of Zimbabwe. Dried blood spot (DBS) and OMT samples were collected from children aged between 2 and 14 years, inclusive. Both samples were tested for HIV using the Vironostika Uniform II plus O kits. The main study outcomes were the sensitivity and specificity of OMT samples, with DBS as the gold-standard specimen. Results. Paired DBS and OMT specimens were available from 1 274 (94.4%) of the 1 350 children enrolled. Using the DBS, HIV prevalence was 3.2%. Overall sensitivity of OMT was 48.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 33.3 - 64.5), and specificity was 98.5% (95% CI 97.7 - 99.1). Conclusion. The overall sensitivity of OMT specimens for HIV testing in children using ELISA was low. Stratifying the analysis by sector showed that OMT samples are good specimens for HIV testing. It is important to note that factors such as the low HIV prevalence in our study population, quality of the OMT, diet and oral hygiene could have influenced the results

Dealloying of Cobalt from CuCo Nanoparticles under Syngas Exposure

International audienceThe structure and composition of core−shell CuCo nanoparticles were found to change as a result of cleaning pretreatments and when exposed to syngas (CO + H 2) at atmospheric pressure. In situ X-ray absorption and photoelectron spectroscopies revealed the oxidation state of the particles as well as the presence of adsorbates under syngas. Transmission electron microscopy was used for ex situ analysis of the shape, elemental composition, and structure after reaction. The original core−shell structure was found to change to a hollow CuCo alloy after pretreatment by oxidation in pure O 2 and reduction in pure H 2. After 30 min of exposure to syngas, a significant fraction (5%) of the particles was strongly depleted in cobalt giving copper-rich nanoparticles. This fraction increased with duration of syngas exposure, a phenomenon that did not occur under pure CO or pure H 2. This study suggests that Co and Cu can each individually contribute to syngas conversion with CuCo catalysts

Exposure to an enriched environment promotes dendritic remodelling in hippocampal neurons affected by endogenous depression

998-1005Neuronal plasticity is enhanced in an enriched environment (EE) with more sensory and social interaction. In an animal model of endogenous depression, we have previously shown that EE has positive effects on spatial memory and hippocampus synaptic plasticity. However, nothing is known about how EE influences dendritic remodelling in hippocampal neurons affected by endogenous depression. In depressed rats, the impact of EE on hippocampus neuronal morphology was examined. Neonatal clomipramine exposure from postnatal days (PND) 8-21 days induced endogenous depression. The depressed-like rats were exposed to an enriched environment for two weeks in adulthood. Brains were then collected, stained with a modified Golgi-cox technique and, the hippocampal CA1 dendritic arborisation was evaluated using the Neurolucida software. Depression resulted in the atrophy of CA1 hippocampal neurons. The number of branching points and the overall number of dendritic intersections were reduced in depressed rats,. Exposure to an enriched environment significantly increased dendritic branching and the total number of dendritic intersections in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. The hippocampal pyramidal neuronal morphology of depressed rats improved after exposure to environmental enrichment. Neuronal plasticity and the development of novel therapeutic strategy will be improved by a greater understanding of how the environment affects neuronal morphology in depressed states

The relationship between diabetes-related emotional distress and illness perceptions among Indian patients with Type II diabetes

Aims: To examine the relationship between diabetes-related emotional distress (DED) and illness perceptions among Indian patients with Type II diabetes (T2D). Material and methods: 92 patients with T2D completed questionnaires on their demographic and medical details, DED and illness perceptions. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between demographic, medical and illness perceptions variables and DED. Results: Increased number of children, personal control and illness-related concern were associated with increased levels of DED. Conclusions: Additional support is needed for Indian patients with T2D who have more children, greater sense of personal control and higher levels of diabetes-related worry

Granulomatous and Sarcoid-like Immune-Related Adverse Events following CTLA4 and PD1 Blockade Adjuvant Therapy of Melanoma: A Combined Analysis of ECOG-ACRIN E1609 and SWOG S1404 Phase III Trials and a Literature Review

BackgroundTreatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has been linked to granulomatous and sarcoid-like lesions (GSLs) affecting different organs. This study sought to evaluate GSL incidence in patients with high-risk melanoma treated with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) or programmed cell death 1 (PD1) blockade adjuvant therapy in two clinical trials: ECOG-ACRIN E1609 and SWOG S1404. Descriptions and GSL severity ratings were recorded.MethodsData were collected from ECOG-ACRIN E1609 and SWOG S1404. Descriptive statistics along with GSL severity grades were reported. Additionally, a literature review for such cases was summarized.ResultsA total of 11 GSL cases were reported among 2878 patients treated with either ICI or with High-Dose Interferon Alfa-2b (HDI) in ECOG-ACRIN E1609 and SWOG S1404 trials. Cases were numerically more commonly reported with ipi10, followed by pembrolizumab, ipi3, and HDI, respectively. Most of the cases were grade III. Further, organs involved included lung, mediastinal lymph nodes, skin and subcutaneous tissue, and eye. Furthermore, a summary of 62 reports in the literature was described.ConclusionsGSLs following anti-CTLA4 and anti-PD1 antibody therapy in patients with melanoma were reported unusually. Reported cases ranged in grade from I to III and appeared manageable. Careful attention to these events and their reporting will be essential to better guide practice and management guidelines

Granulomatous and Sarcoid-like Immune-Related Adverse Events following CTLA4 and PD1 Blockade Adjuvant Therapy of Melanoma: A Combined Analysis of ECOG-ACRIN E1609 and SWOG S1404 Phase III Trials and a Literature Review

Background: Treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has been linked to granulomatous and sarcoid-like lesions (GSLs) affecting different organs. This study sought to evaluate GSL incidence in patients with high-risk melanoma treated with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) or programmed cell death 1 (PD1) blockade adjuvant therapy in two clinical trials: ECOG-ACRIN E1609 and SWOG S1404. Descriptions and GSL severity ratings were recorded. Methods: Data were collected from ECOG-ACRIN E1609 and SWOG S1404. Descriptive statistics along with GSL severity grades were reported. Additionally, a literature review for such cases was summarized. Results: A total of 11 GSL cases were reported among 2878 patients treated with either ICI or with High-Dose Interferon Alfa-2b (HDI) in ECOG-ACRIN E1609 and SWOG S1404 trials. Cases were numerically more commonly reported with ipi10, followed by pembrolizumab, ipi3, and HDI, respectively. Most of the cases were grade III. Further, organs involved included lung, mediastinal lymph nodes, skin and subcutaneous tissue, and eye. Furthermore, a summary of 62 reports in the literature was described. Conclusions: GSLs following anti-CTLA4 and anti-PD1 antibody therapy in patients with melanoma were reported unusually. Reported cases ranged in grade from I to III and appeared manageable. Careful attention to these events and their reporting will be essential to better guide practice and management guidelines