Maternal exposure to nanoparticulate titanium dioxide during the prenatal period alters gene expression related to brain development in the mouse

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nanotechnology is developing rapidly throughout the world and the production of novel man-made nanoparticles is increasing, it is therefore of concern that nanomaterials have the potential to affect human health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of maternal exposure to nano-sized anatase titanium dioxide (TiO₂) on gene expression in the brain during the developmental period using cDNA microarray analysis combined with Gene Ontology (GO) and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms information.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Analysis of gene expression using GO terms indicated that expression levels of genes associated with apoptosis were altered in the brain of newborn pups, and those associated with brain development were altered in early age. The genes associated with response to oxidative stress were changed in the brains of 2 and 3 weeks old mice. Changes of the expression of genes associated with neurotransmitters and psychiatric diseases were found using MeSH terms.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Maternal exposure of mice to TiO₂nanoparticles may affect the expression of genes related to the development and function of the central nervous system.</p

Intense winter cooling of the surface water in the northern Okinawa Trough during the last glacial period

We generated a 42,000-year record of TEX86 (TEX86L and TEX86H) from core MD98-2195 to better understand changes in the hydrology of the East China Sea (ECS) in the last glacial period. The TEX86-derived temperature showed an intense cooling in the last glacial period, whereas U-37(K)-derived spring sea surface temperature (SST) and foraminiferal Mg/Ca-derived summer SST showed a much smaller-scale cooling. The difference between the TEX86- and Mg/Ca-derived temperatures was around 14 degrees C from 19 to 16 ka and abruptly decreased to around 5 degrees C from 16 to 13 ka. This suggests a strong winter cooling of the surface water during the last glacial period. TEX86-,U-37(K')-, and Mg/Ca-derived temperatures were lowest at 18-17 ka, implying that the formation of cold water was maximized during that period. These results show that the cold water mass developed in the northern Okinawa Trough during the last glacial and the Kuroshio branch did not fully enter the northern margin of the Okinawa Trough. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

The effects of dark chocolate on cognitive performance during cognitively demanding tasks: A randomized, single-blinded, crossover, dose-comparison study

Dark chocolate, rich in polyphenols, increases cerebral blood flow and improves cognitive function. This study aimed to determine whether the consumption of chocolate with a high concentration of polyphenols helps to maintain cognitive performance during cognitively demanding tasks. In this randomized, single-blinded, crossover, dose-comparison study, 18 middle-aged adults consumed two types of chocolate (25 g each), one with a high concentration (635.0 mg) and the other with a low concentration (211.7 mg) of cacao polyphenols, and performed a cognitive task requiring response inhibition and selective attention over two time periods (15–30 min and 40–55 min after consumption, respectively). Autonomic nerve function and subjective feelings, such as fatigue and concentration, were measured before food intake and after the second task to assess the participant's state. The results showed that the average reaction time between the first and second sessions was not significantly different for either high- or low-concentration chocolate consumption. However, the percentage of correct responses was similar in the first (96.7 %) and second (96.8 %) sessions for high-concentration chocolate consumption and significantly lower for low-concentration chocolate consumption in the second (96.4 %) session than in the first session (97.3 %). Autonomic nerve function showed a significant increase in sympathetic nerve activity after the second task with high-concentration chocolate consumption, while subjective feelings showed an increase in mental fatigue for both chocolate types but a significant decrease in concentration only after the second task with low-concentration chocolate consumption. These findings suggest that dark chocolate consumption contributes to the maintenance of performance and concentration in continuous and demanding cognitive tasks

Clinical outcomes of assisted reproductive technology treatment by using a self‐injection of recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin as the final maturation trigger

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the efficacy and safety of self‐injections of the prefilled recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin (r‐hCG) in a syringe in assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment for the maturation trigger (MT), as compared to self‐injections of conventional hCG and intranasal administration of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist (GnRH‐a). Methods Between January and April, 2017, 396 patients who underwent oocyte retrieval were recruited. Of these, 396 patients were classified into three groups, according to the types of MT: (1) the urinary human chorionic gonadotropin (u‐hCG) group that consisted of patients who had a self‐injection of u‐hCG (n = 127); (2) the GnRH‐a group that received nasal administration of GnRH‐a (n = 159); and (3) the r‐hCG group that had a self‐injection of r‐hCG (n = 110). Several ART outcomes were evaluated. Results The mature oocyte retrieval rate was not different between the u‐hCG, r‐hCG, and GnRH‐a groups and the fertilization and cleavage rates were similar between the three groups. The clinical pregnancy rates did not significantly differ between the GnRH‐a group and the u‐hCG group; however, it was significantly lower in the GnRH‐a group, compared to the r‐hCG group. No difference was observed in the incidence of moderate or more severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome among the three groups. Conclusion The self‐injection of the prefilled r‐hCG is a favorable MT for ART patients