A canine gait analysis protocol for back movement assessment in german shepherd dogs

Objective-To design and test a motion analysis protocol for the gait analysis of adult German Shepherd (GS) dogs with a focus in the analyses of their back movements. Animals-Eight clinically healthy adult large-sized GS dogs (age, 4 ± 1.3 years; weight, 38.8 ± 4.2 kg). Procedures-A six-camera stereo-photogrammetric system and two force platforms were used for data acquisition. Experimental acquisition sessions consisted of static and gait trials. During gait trials, each dog walked along a 6 m long walkway at self-selected speed and a total of six gait cycles were recorded. Results-Grand mean and standard deviation of ground reaction forces of fore and hind limbs are reported. Spatial-temporal parameters averaged over gait cycles and subjects, their mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variance are analyzed. Joint kinematics for the hip, stifle and tarsal joints and their average range of motion (ROM) values, and their 95% Confidence Interval (CI) values of kinematics curves are reported. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-This study provides normative data of healthy GS dogs to form a preliminary basis in the analysis of the spatial-temporal parameters, kinematics and kinetics during quadrupedal stance posture and gait. Also, a new back movement protocol enabling a multi-segment back model is provided. Results show that the proposed gait analysis protocol may become a useful and objective tool for the evaluation of canine treatment with special focus on the back movement

The projection from auditory cortex to cochlear nucleus in guinea pigs: an in vivo anatomical and in vitro electrophysiological study

Previous anatomical experiments have demonstrated the existence of a direct, bilateral projection from the auditory cortex (AC) to the cochlear nucleus (CN). However, the precise relationship between the origin of the projection in the AC and the distribution of axon terminals in the CN is not known. Moreover, the influence of this projection on CN principal cells has not been studied before. The aim of the present study was two-fold. First, to extend the anatomical data by tracing anterogradely the distribution of cortical axons in the CN by means of restricted injections of biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) in physiologically characterized sites in the AC. Second, in an in vitro isolated whole brain preparation (IWB), to assess the effect of electrical stimulation of the AC on CN principal cells from which intracellular recordings were derived. BDA injections in the tonotopically organized primary auditory cortex and dorsocaudal auditory field at high and low best frequency (BF) sites resulted in a consistent axonal labeling in the ipsilateral CN of all injected animals. In addition, fewer labeled terminals were observed in the contralateral CN, but only in the animals subjected to injections in low BF region. The axon terminal fields consisting of boutons en passant or terminaux were found in the superficial granule cell layer and, to a smaller extent, in the three CN subdivisions. No axonal labeling was seen in the CN as result of BDA injection in the secondary auditory area (dorsocaudal belt). In the IWB, the effects of ipsilateral AC stimulation were tested in a population of 52 intracellulary recorded and stained CN principal neurons, distributed in the three CN subdivisions. Stimulation of the AC evoked slow late excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in only two cells located in the dorsal CN. The EPSPs were induced in a giant and a pyramidal cell at latencies of 20ms and 33ms, respectively, suggesting involvement of polysynaptic circuits. These findings are consistent with anatomical data showing sparse projections from the AC to the CN and indicate a limited modulatory action of the AC on CN principal cell

Na+, K+-ATPase activity in children with autism spectrum disorder: Searching for the reason(s) of its decrease in blood cells

Na+, K+-ATPase (NKA) activity, which establishes the sodium and potassium gradient across the cell membrane and is instrumental in the propagation of the nerve impulses, is altered in a number of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In the present work, we examined a wide range of biochemical and cellular parameters in the attempt to understand the reason(s) for the severe decrease in NKA activity in erythrocytes of ASD children that we reported previously. NKA activity in leukocytes was found to be decreased independently from alteration in plasma membrane fluidity. The different subunits were evaluated for gene expression in leukocytes and for protein expression in erythrocytes: small differences in gene expression between ASD and typically developing children were not apparently paralleled by differences in protein expression. Moreover, no gross difference in erythrocyte plasma membrane oxidative modifications was detectable, although oxidative stress in blood samples from ASD children was confirmed by increased expression of NRF2 mRNA. Interestingly, gene expression of some NKA subunits correlated with clinical features. Excess inhibitory metals or ouabain-like activities, which might account for NKA activity decrease, were ruled out. Plasma membrane cholesterol, but not phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidlserine, was slighty decreased in erythrocytes from ASD children. Although no compelling results were obtained, our data suggest that alteration in the erytrocyte lipid moiety or subtle oxidative modifications in NKA structure are likely candidates for the observed decrease in NKA activity. These findings are discussed in the light of the relevance of NKA in ASD. Autism Research 2018. \ua9 2018 The Authors. Autism Research published by International Society for Autism Research and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Lay Summary: The activity of the cell membrane enzyme NKA, which is instrumental in the propagation of the nerve impulses, is severely decreased in erythrocytes from ASD children and in other brain disorders, yet no explanation has been provided for this observation. We strived to find a biological/biochemical cause of such alteration, but most queries went unsolved because of the complexity of NKA regulation. As NKA activity is altered in many brain disorders, we stress the relevance of studies aimed at understanding its regulation in ASD

Recent deformation at Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy) detected by DinSar and leveling techniques

The Campi Flegrei caldera, a volcanic and densely populated area located to the west of Napoli (Italy), was characterized by rapid ground deformation during 1970-72 and 1982-84, for a total amount of 3.5 m in the city of Pozzuoli. Since 1985 a slow deflation was active, with episodic microcrises of uplifts. A new and consistent uplift event is now going on, beginning in November 2004, as revealed by spatial and terrestrial geodetic techniques. In particular, we adopt almost all the available ENVISAT ASAR data acquired from both ascending and descending orbits during 2002-2006, to generate mean deformation velocity maps and time series with spatial resolution of about 100 m. The maps are computed following the Small BAseline Subset (SBAS) approach (Berardino et al., 2002), that implements an appropriate combination of differential interferograms generated from SAR data pairs (60 SAR images for this work). In addition to satellite observations, we show data from the high precision levelling network of the INGV-Osservatorio Vesuviano, consisting in about 320 benchmarks. Levelling measurements are regularly carried out on both the whole network and along the coast line; in case of a bradyseismic crisis, the temporal sampling is strongly increased. Both DInSAR and levelling data evidence the maximum value of the vertical displacement near the city of Pozzuoli. We model the observed deformation by means of 3D pressurized point-source and extended source, performing inversions to constrain their shape and location. The resulting sources are also compared with that inverted for the 1982-84 unrest.UnpublishedWienope

Recent deformation at Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy) detected by DinSar and leveling techniques

The Campi Flegrei caldera, a volcanic and densely populated area located to the west of Napoli (Italy), was characterized by rapid ground deformation during 1970-72 and 1982-84, for a total amount of 3.5 m in the city of Pozzuoli. Since 1985 a slow deflation was active, with episodic microcrises of uplifts. A new and consistent uplift event is now going on, beginning in November 2004, as revealed by spatial and terrestrial geodetic techniques. In particular, we adopt almost all the available ENVISAT ASAR data acquired from both ascending and descending orbits during 2002-2006, to generate mean deformation velocity maps and time series with spatial resolution of about 100 m. The maps are computed following the Small BAseline Subset (SBAS) approach (Berardino et al., 2002), that implements an appropriate combination of differential interferograms generated from SAR data pairs (60 SAR images for this work). In addition to satellite observations, we show data from the high precision levelling network of the INGV-Osservatorio Vesuviano, consisting in about 320 benchmarks. Levelling measurements are regularly carried out on both the whole network and along the coast line; in case of a bradyseismic crisis, the temporal sampling is strongly increased. Both DInSAR and levelling data evidence the maximum value of the vertical displacement near the city of Pozzuoli. We model the observed deformation by means of 3D pressurized point-source and extended source, performing inversions to constrain their shape and location. The resulting sources are also compared with that inverted for the 1982-84 unrest

A Genome-Wide Screening and SNPs-to-Genes Approach to Identify Novel Genetic Risk Factors Associated with Frontotemporal Dementia

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the second most prevalent form of early onset dementia after Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We performed a case-control association study in an Italian FTD cohort (n = 530) followed by the novel SNPs-to-genes approach and functional annotation analysis. We identified two novel potential loci for FTD. Suggestive SNPs reached p-values ~10-7 and OR > 2.5 (2p16.3) and 1.5 (17q25.3). Suggestive alleles at 17q25.3 identified a disease-associated haplotype causing decreased expression of -cis genes such as RFNG and AATK involved in neuronal genesis and differentiation, and axon outgrowth, respectively. We replicated this locus through the SNPs-to-genes approach. Our functional annotation analysis indicated significant enrichment for functions of the brain (neuronal genesis, differentiation and maturation), the synapse (neurotransmission and synapse plasticity), and elements of the immune system, the latter supporting our recent international FTD-GWAS. This is the largest genome-wide study in Italian FTD to date. Although our results are not conclusive, we set the basis for future replication studies and identification of susceptible molecular mechanisms involved in FTD pathogenesis

Geodetic model of the 2016 Central Italy earthquake sequence inferred from InSAR and GPS data

We investigate a large geodetic data set of interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR)and GPS measurements to determine the source parameters for the three main shocks of the 2016Central Italy earthquake sequence on 24 August and 26 and 30 October (Mw6.1, 5.9, and 6.5,respectively). Our preferred model is consistent with the activation of four main coseismic asperitiesbelonging to the SW dipping normal fault system associated with the Mount Gorzano-Mount Vettore-Mount Bove alignment. Additional slip, equivalent to aMw~ 6.1–6.2 earthquake, on a secondary (1) NEdipping antithetic fault and/or (2) on a WNW dipping low-angle fault in the hanging wall of the mainsystem is required to better reproduce the complex deformation pattern associated with the greatestseismic event (theMw6.5 earthquake). The recognition of ancillary faults involved in the sequencesuggests a complex interaction in the activated crustal volume between the main normal faults and thesecondary structures and a partitioning of strain releas

MONITORING THE CAMPI FLEGREI CALDERA BY EXPLOITING SAR AND GEODETICAL DATA: RECENT RESULTS AND FUTURE APPLICATIONS

Geodetical monitoring of the Campi Flegrei caldera (Naples, Italy), has been historically carried out by ground networks giving an information related only to a certain number of measuring points; this limitation can be greatly relieved by exploiting the space-borne DInSAR which allows to extract the geodetic information on wide areas, with a good time coverage in comparison with the mean repetition time of the campaign measurements. In this work we will show recent results on Campi Flegrei, obtained by using all the ENVISAT ASAR available data from both ascending and descending orbits. The processed data revealed that the uplift phase of Campi Flegrei, which became very clear in summer 2005 with an average velocity of about 2.8 mm/year, has definitely reduced the uplift velocity since spring 2007. This conclusion is consistent with independent deformation measurements carried out by the Vesuvius Observatory (INGV-OV). Differences, in terms of limits and potentialities of DInSAR with respect to classical geodetic techniques and vice-versa and the way they can be compared/integrated, is still a very interesting matter of debate suggesting, as an optimal solution for monitoring purposes in active volcanic areas, the integration of all the available techniques.UnpublishedFrascati1.10. TTC - Telerilevamentoope

A QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF DInSAR TIME SERIES ACCURACY IN VOLCANIC AREAS: FROM THE FIRST TO SECOND GENERATION SAR SENSORS

We perform a quantitative assessment of the accuracy of Differential SAR Interferometry (DInSAR) time series in volcanic areas, retrieved through “first” and “second generation” SAR data. In particular, we analyze the impact that the wavelengths and looking geometries may have in the DInSAR measurement retrieval depending on the radar system. To this aim, we focus on the DInSAR algorithm referred to as Small BAseline Subset (SBAS) to generate mean deformation velocity maps and corresponding time series starting from sequences of SAR images. Moreover, we consider collections of SAR data acquired by the ERS-1/2 and ENVISAT (C-band), and COSMO-SkyMed (Xband) sensors over the volcanic area of the Campi Flegrei caldera, Southern Italy. We invert these SAR data sequences through the SBAS-DInSAR technique, thus obtaining C- and X- band deformation time series that we compare to continuous GPS measurements, the latter assumed as reference. The achieved results provide, in addition to a clear picture of the surface deformation phenomena already occurred and occurring in the selected case study, relevant indications for the analysis of the SBAS-DInSAR time series accuracies in volcanic areas passing from the first to second generation SAR sensors.PublishedMünich1IT. Reti di monitoraggio e Osservazionirestricte