A kinematic study on (un)intentional imitation in bottlenose dolphins

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of observing other's movements on subsequent performance in bottlenose dolphins. The imitative ability of non-human animals has intrigued a number of researchers. So far, however, studies in dolphins have been confined to intentional imitation concerned with the explicit request to imitate other agents. In the absence of instruction to imitate, do dolphins (un)intentionally replicate other's movement features? To test this, dolphins were filmed while reaching and touching a stimulus before and after observing another dolphin (i.e., model) performing the same action. All videos were reviewed and segmented in order to extract the relevant movements. A marker was inserted post hoc via software on the videos upon the anatomical landmark of interest (i.e., rostrum) and was tracked throughout the time course of the movement sequence. The movement was analyzed using an in-house software developed to perform two-dimensional (2D) post hoc kinematic analysis. The results indicate that dolphins' kinematics is sensitive to other's movement features. Movements performed for the "visuomotor priming" condition were characterized by a kinematic pattern similar to that performed by the observed dolphin (i.e., model). Addressing the issue of spontaneous imitation in bottlenose dolphins might allow ascertaining whether the potential or impulse to produce an imitative action is generated, not just when they intend to imitate, but whenever they watch another conspecific's behavior. In closing, this will clarify whether motor representational capacity is a by-product of factors specific to humans or whether more general characteristics such as processes of associative learning prompted by high level of encephalization could help to explain the evolution of this ability

Decoding social intentions in human prehensile actions: Insights from a combined kinematics-fMRI study

Consistent evidence suggests that the way we reach and grasp an object is modulated not only by object properties (e.g., size, shape, texture, fragility and weight), but also by the types of intention driving the action, among which the intention to interact with another agent (i.e., social intention). Action observation studies ascribe the neural substrate of this `intentional' component to the putative mirror neuron (pMNS) and the mentalizing (MS) systems. How social intentions are translated into executed actions, however, has yet to be addressed. We conducted a kinematic and a functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) study considering a reach-to-grasp movement performed towards the same object positioned at the same location but with different intentions: passing it to another person (social condition) or putting it on a concave base (individual condition). Kinematics showed that individual and social intentions are characterized by different profiles, with a slower movement at the level of both the reaching (i.e., arm movement) and the grasping (i.e., hand aperture) components. fMRI results showed that: (i) distinct voxel pattern activity for the social and the individual condition are present within the pMNS and the MS during action execution; (ii) decoding accuracies of regions belonging to the pMNS and the MS are correlated, suggesting that these two systems could interact for the generation of appropriate motor commands. Results are discussed in terms of motor simulation and inferential processes as part of a hierarchical generative model for action intention understanding and generation of appropriate motor commands

Phylogenetic position of Theileria cervi detected in Blastocerus dichotomus (Artiodactyla: Cervidae) with clinical symptoms from argentina

The results of this study document the molecular detection of Theileria cervi in a symptomatic adult marsh deer Blastocerus dichotomus (Artiodactyla: Cervidae) from Argentina and characterize the phylogenetic position of the Argentinian strain. The animal was founded with signs of obnubilation, anaemia, and ataxia on Isla Talavera in the Paraná Delta, Argentina. Biochemical, haematological and post mortem histopathological studies resulted in the detection of symptoms associated with Theileria infections. Piroplasmid DNA was detected in a blood sample and the complete 18S rDNA gene sequence could be archived. Phylogenetic analyses of the obtained sequence verify the genetic relationship of the Argentinian strain with strains of T. cervi found in other deer species in North America. This result, together with reports of T. cervi detected in various deer species that inhabit countries from Canada in the North to Argentina in the Western Hemisphere, indicates that this Piroplasmorida possess a low host specificity. Although the majority of T. cervi infections results asymptomatic or in mild course of the disease, it must be considered that T. cervi is circulating in Argentinian B. dichotomus populations and can cause serve course of the disease. Therefore, further studies are needed to investigate its prevalence, distribution and veterinary impact.EEA RafaelaFil: Sebastian, Patrick. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela. Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (IDICAL); Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (IDICAL); ArgentinaFil: Falzone, Martin. Fundación Temaiken. Hospital Veterinario Bioparque Temaiken; ArgentinaFil: Lois, Maria F. Fundación Temaiken. Hospital Veterinario Bioparque Temaiken; ArgentinaFil: Sartori, Rodrigo. Fundación Temaiken. Hospital Veterinario Bioparque Temaiken; ArgentinaFil: Zimmerman, Jennifer. Fundación Temaiken. Hospital Veterinario Bioparque Temaiken; ArgentinaFil: Tarragona, Evelina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela. Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (IDICAL); Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (IDICAL); ArgentinaFil: Nava, Santiago. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela; ArgentinaFil: Nava, Santiago. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Nava, Santiago. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (IDICAL); Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina

Decoding social intentions in human prehensile actions : insights from a combined kinematics-fMRI study

Funding: This work was supported by a grant from the MIUR (N. 287713), the FP7: REWIRE project, by Progetto Strategico, Universitaà di Padova (N. 2010XPMFW4) to UC and by SIR grant (Scientific Independence of Young Researchers—N. RBSI141QKX) to LS.Consistent evidence suggests that the way we reach and grasp an object is modulated not only by object properties (e.g., size, shape, texture, fragility and weight), but also by the types of intention driving the action, among which the intention to interact with another agent (i.e., social intention). Action observation studies ascribe the neural substrate of this ‘intentional’ component to the putative mirror neuron (pMNS) and the mentalizing (MS) systems. How social intentions are translated into executed actions, however, has yet to be addressed. We conducted a kinematic and a functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) study considering a reach-to-grasp movement performed towards the same object positioned at the same location but with different intentions: passing it to another person (social condition) or putting it on a concave base (individual condition). Kinematics showed that individual and social intentions are characterized by different profiles, with a slower movement at the level of both the reaching (i.e., arm movement) and the grasping (i.e., hand aperture) components. fMRI results showed that: (i) distinct voxel pattern activity for the social and the individual condition are present within the pMNS and the MS during action execution; (ii) decoding accuracies of regions belonging to the pMNS and the MS are correlated, suggesting that these two systems could interact for the generation of appropriate motor commands. Results are discussed in terms of motor simulation and inferential processes as part of a hierarchical generative model for action intention understanding and generation of appropriate motor commands.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Aluminium blunts the proliferative response and increases apoptosis of cultured human cells: putative relationship to alzheimer's disease

Aluminium (Al) has been investigated as a neurotoxic substance. Al ranks among the potential environmental risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Epidemiological studies tested the relationship between Al in drinking water and AD, showing a significant correlation between elevated levels of monomeric Al in water and AD, although data to date remain inconclusive with respect to total Al. The aim of this study was to test whether or not Al exacerbates cellular toxicity mediated by the amyloid β (Aβ) peptide. We evaluated the role of Al in modulating programmed cell death (apoptosis) in human cell cultures. We used the osteosarcoma cell line monolayer (SaOs-2) to demonstrate that treatment of SaOs-2 cultures with the Aβ peptide mid-fragment (25 to 35) at nano M, followed by co-incubation with physiological concentrations of aluminium chloride, which release monomeric Al in solution, led to marked expression of caspase 3, but not caspase 9, key markers of the apoptotic process. The same experimental conditions were shown to blunt significantly the proliferative response of normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation. Our observations support the hypothesis that Al significantly impairs certain cellular immune responses, and confirm that Al-mediated cell toxicity may play an important role in AD

Physiologic modulation of natural killer cell activity as an index of Alzheimer's disease progression

Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) are characterized by an altered sensitivity to cortisol-mediated modulation of circulating lymphocytes. Longitudinal studies are needed to address the clinical applicability of these abnormalities as prognostic factors. Therefore, we designed a longitudinal study to address the clinical applicability of physiologic modulation of Natural Killer (NK) cell activity as a prognostic factor in AD. NK activity was assessed as baseline measurement and in response to modulation by cortisol at 10-6M. To verify the immunophysiological integrity of the NK cell population, we tested augmentation of NK cytotoxicity by human recombinant interleukin (IL)-2 (100 IU/ml) as control. The response to modulation by cortisol or by IL-2 was significantly greater in patients with AD. Based on change in the Mini-Mental State score at entry and at 18 months, patients with AD could be assigned to a “fast progression” (Δ > 2 points) or to a “slow progression” group (Δ ≤ 2 points). The change in the response of NK cytotoxic activity to cortisol, and the strength of the association of this parameter with circulating activated T cells in time was greater in patients with Fast Progression vs. Slow Progression AD. These results suggest that changes in the response of NK cells to negative (e.g., cortisol) or positive modifiers (e.g., IL-2) follow progression of AD

Neuroendocrine immunity in patients with Alzheimer's disease: toward translational epigenetics

The emerging domain of epigenetics in molecular medicine finds application for a variety of patient populations. Here, we present fundamental neuroendocrine immune evidence obtained in patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type (sDAT), and discuss the implications of these data from the viewpoint of translational epigenetics of Alzheimer's disease. We followed 18 subjects with mild sDAT treated with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, and 10 control subjects matched for age in a repeated measure design every six months for 18 months. We monitored psychosocial profile (Mini-Mental State Examination, Functional Assessment Staging, Independence in Activities of Daily Living, Depression, Profile of Moods States) in parallel to immunophenotypic parameters of T cell subpopulations by flow cytometry. Based on change in the mini-mental state score at entry and at 18 months, patients with sDAT were assigned to a “fast progression” (delta greater than 2 points) or to a “slow progression” group (delta less than or equal to 2 points). The change in circulating activated T cells (CD3+Dr+) with time in patients with sDAT was significantly inversely correlated with the change in time in natural killer (NK) cytotoxic activity to cortisol modulation in these patients, which was greater in patients with fast progression, compared to slow progression sDAT. These data indicate underlying neuroendocrine immune processes during progression of sDAT. Our observations suggest that psychoimmune measures such as those we have monitored in this study provide relevant information about the evolving physiological modulation in patients with sDAT during progression of Alzheimer's disease, and point to new or improved translational epigenetic treatment interventions

Avaliação dos possíveis efeitos neuroprotetores da curcumina sobre o modelo de isquêmia e estresse oxidativo em ratos / Evaluation of the possible neuroprotective effects of curcumina on the model of ischemia and oxidative stress in rats

INTRODUÇÃO: Dentre as sequelas decorrentes do Acidente Vascular Encefálico Isquêmico (AVE isquêmico) destacam-se as alterações funcionais, prejuízo cognitivo e perda de memória. Assim sendo, faz-se necessário o conhecimento e identificação de potenciais agentes terapêuticos, como a curcumina, para evitar ou diminuir as alterações causadas pelo AVE. OBJETIVO: Investigar o potencial neuroprotetor da curcumina na prevenção e tratamento do estresse oxidativo decorrente da isquemia-reperfusão cerebral transitória (AVE isquêmico) em ratos. METODOLOGIA: Realizou-se a cirurgia de isquemia-reperfusão cerebral em ratos Wistar, divididos em quatro grupos (SHAM, AVE, AVE+Cur10, AVE+Cur50), a qual permite a oclusão e a restauração do fluxo sanguíneo nas artérias carótidas. Os animais foram eutanasiados e seus encéfalos foram retirados para a análise da peroxidação lipídica (TBARs). RESULTADOS: O tratamento com curcumina nas doses de 10 e 50 mg/kg reduziu significativamente a peroxidação lipídica em ratos (p<0,05), submetido a cirurgia de isquemia de reperfusão, comparados com os grupos SHAM e AVE. CONCLUSÃO: Há necessidade de que novas formas farmacêuticas sejam desenvolvidas com intuito de que a curcumina possa efetivamente exercer ação neuroprotetoras em pacientes com AVE

Designing renewable and socially accepted energy systems for astronomical telescopes: A move towards energy justice

Remote astronomical telescopes without access to the national electricity grid rely mostly on fossil fuels. Climate change concerns and fuel price vulnerability drive the transition to renewable energy sources. Astronomical facilities are usually designed without considering the surrounding communities’ social and energy needs or using renewable energy sources to power them. This study proposes a socially accepted renewable energy system for a future telescope in the Atacama Desert, combining an energy system model with a participatory multi-criteria analysis. Our findings highlight that various stakeholders prioritize emission reduction, security of supply, and electricity costs. The results reveal that a renewable energy system supplying the telescope could also cover 66% of the nearby San Pedro de Atacama community’s energy needs without additional capacity. Replicating similar energy systems at nearby telescopes could reduce fossil fuel-based energy generation by over 30GWh annually, cutting emissions of the area by 17-23ktCO2eq, while contributing to energy justice

Bitter Is Better: Wild Greens Used in the Blue Zone of Ikaria, Greece

The current study reports an ethnobotanical field investigation of traditionally gathered and consumed wild greens (Chorta) in one of the five so-called Blue Zones in the world: Ikaria Isle, Greece. Through 31 semi-structured interviews, a total of 56 wild green plants were documented along with their culinary uses, linguistic labels, and locally perceived tastes. Most of the gathered greens were described as bitter and associated with members of Asteraceae and Brassicaceae botanical families (31%), while among the top-quoted wild greens, species belonging to these two plant families accounted for 50% of the wild vegetables, which were consumed mostly cooked. Cross-cultural comparison with foraging in other areas of the central-eastern Mediterranean and the Near East demonstrated a remarkable overlapping of Ikarian greens with Cretan and Sicilian, as well as in the prevalence of bitter-tasting botanical genera. Important differences with other wild greens-related food heritage were found, most notably with the Armenian and Kurdish ones, which do not commonly feature many bitter greens. The proven role of extra-oral bitter taste receptors in the modulation of gastric emptying, glucose absorption and crosstalk with microbiota opens new ways of looking at these differences, in particular with regard to possible health implications. The present study is also an important attempt to preserve and document the bio-cultural gastronomic heritage of Chorta as a quintessential part of the Mediterranean diet. The study recommends that nutritionists, food scientists, and historians, as well as policymakers and practitioners, pay the required attention to traditional rural dietary systems as models of sustainable health