Oxytocin and Psychiatric Disorders

Oxytocin is a neuropeptide that plays critical role in mother-infant bonding, pair bonding and prosocial behaviors. Several neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism, schizophrenia, affective disorders, anxiety disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, alcohol/substance addiction, aggression, suicide, eating disorders and personality disorders show abnormalities of oxytocin system. These findings have given rise to the studies searching therapeutic use of oxytocin for psychi-atric disorders. The studies of oxytocin interventions in psychiatric disorders yielded potentially promising findings. This paper reviews the role of oxytocin in emotions, behavior and its effects in psychiatric disorders. [Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar - Current Approaches in Psychiatry 2016; 8(2): 102-113

Axial and bending behaviour of steel tubes infilled with rubberised concrete

This paper presents an experimental and numerical study into the behaviour of rubberised concrete-filled steel tubes (RuCFST), incorporating concrete with relatively high rubber replacements of up to 60% of mineral aggregates by volume. Axial compression, eccentric compression, and three-point bending tests on circular specimens are carried out and the results are used to validate the nonlinear procedures adopted in continuum finite element (FE) models of RuCFST members. A constitutive material model specific for confined rubberised concrete and associated modelling techniques, developed from existing procedures for concrete-filled steel tubes (CFST), is proposed for RuCFST members. The modelling techniques involve different damage definitions including low strength concrete with high rubber replacements in compression and bending. It is shown that the proposed modelling procedures can predict reliably the structural behaviour of circular RuCFST members under combined axial-bending conditions. The numerical procedures are then employed in undertaking a detailed parametric assessment for RuCFST cross-sections. The results are used to appraise current design procedures and to propose modifications that provide improved capacity predictions for a wide range of properties and loading conditions

Experimental cyclic response of rubberised concrete-filled steel tubes

This paper examines the behaviour of circular steel tubes infilled with concrete incorporating recycled rubber particles. The rubberised concrete-filled steel tubes are tested under lateral cyclic deformations with and without co-existing axial loading. A detailed account of the cyclic tests on twelve specimens is provided together with complementary material and section tests. The rubber replacement ratio is varied up to a relatively high value of 60%, under axial loads reaching up to 30% of the nominal capacity. Hollow steel members are also tested for comparison purposes. The experimental results are discussed in detail with respect to the member stiffness, capacity, ductility, energy dissipation and failure mechanisms. Although high rubber ratios lead to a considerable loss in concrete strength, the test results show that the corresponding reduction in member capacity is much less significant due to the contribution of the steel tube and the comparatively high confinement effects mobilised within the rubberised concrete. In comparison with the members incorporating normal concrete, the rubberised concrete members are found to exhibit up to about 10% and 17% increase in ductility and energy dissipation, respectively, depending on the rubber content. Analytical treatments are then used to suggest simplified relationships for predicting the stiffness, moment-axial strength interaction, plastic hinge length and local ductility criteria. Overall, the test results demonstrate the favourable inelastic cyclic performance of circular steel tubes infilled with rubberised concrete and provide valuable experimental data. The proposed expressions for key response parameters also offer the basis for developing practical assessment and design methods

The Modified Dynamic Gait Index and Limits of Stability in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the performance of balance and walking tests in relation to self-reported fall history in adults with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). METHODS: Twenty-two (13 male) participants with DM1 completed, a 6-month fall history questionnaire, the modified Dynamic Gait Index (mDGI), limits of stability (LoS) testing, and 10-m walking tests. RESULTS: Mean (SD) falls in 6 months was 3.7 (3.1), and 19 (86%) participants reported at least 1 fall. Significant differences in mDGI scores (P = 0.006) and 10-m fast walking gait velocity (P = 0.02) were found between those who had been classified as fallers and those who had been classified as nonfallers. Significant correlations were found between mDGI scores and 10-m walking time. DISCUSSION: Falls are common in DM1, and the mDGI may have potential to distinguish fallers from nonfallers, whereas the LoS failed to detect such impairment. Future studies should further explore use of the mDGI in DM1

Natural Melanin Synthesized by Aureobasidium pullulans Using Food Wastes and its Characterization: Characterization of natural melanin produces by Aureobasidium pullulans

Background and Objective: Food wastes cause economic losses and environmental problems. Hence, ability to transform food wastes into high-value added products is highly attractive. The aim of this study was to produce melanin pigments by fermentation that include wide potential uses in agriculture, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries using domestic wastes such as melon peel, watermelon peel and carrot peel and industrial by-products such as whey and molasses. Material and Methods: Two Aureobasidium pullulans strains were assessed for melanin production. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, zeta potential, ultraviolet absorbance and solubility assays were carried out to characterize produced melanin nanoparticles. Results and Conclusion: The highest intracellular (0.19 g l-1) and extracellular (3.52 g l-1) melanin concentrations were produced by Aureobasidium pullulans NBRC 100716 using carrot peel extracts as fermentation media. Results of characterization were compared with those of synthetic melanin used as standard and the produced nanoparticles were validated. Particle sizes of the nanoparticles ranged 10-760 nm with negative charges, as suggested by previous literature. Results showed that carrot peel was a good candidate, which could be used for the production of high value-added melanin. When carrot peel extract was used as a fermentation medium, characteristics of the melanin produced by Aureobasidium pullulans NBRC 100716 strain were similar to those of synthetic melanin. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interes

Evaluation Of Balance In Fallers And Non-Fallers Elderly

Falls present a substantial health problem among the elderly population. Approximately one-third of community-dwelling people over 65 years of age will experience one or more each year. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate balance between fallers and non-fallers elderly. Study Design: Clinical study. Methods: We studied 30 subjects older than 65 years of age. 15 subjects had a history of falls within a year (Group I) and 15 subjects had no history of falls (Group II). The scores of Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP); Sensory Organization Test (SOT), Limits of Stability (LOS), Rhytmic Weight Shift (RWS) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) findings gathered from the individuals from Group I and Group II, were compared. Results: The SOT 3, 6, composite, BBS scores and left-right on-axis velocity score of RWS test of the Group I were found to be significantly lower the Group II (p < 0.05). A positive correlation between the SOT 3, 5, composite and BBS scores of Group I and the SOT 4, 5, 6, composite and BBS scores of Group II is determined (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The CDP and BBS scores in fallers were found to be significiantly lower as compared to the non-fallers elderly.WoSScopu

Confinement effects for rubberised concrete in tubular steel cross-sections under combined loading

This paper describes an experimental investigation into confinement effects provided by circular tubular sections to rubberised concrete materials under combined loading. The tests include specimens with 0%, 30% and 60% rubber replacement of mineral aggregates by volume. After describing the experimental arrangements and specimen details, the results of bending and eccentric compression tests are presented, together with complementary axial compression tests on stub-column samples. Tests on hollow steel specimens are also included for comparison purposes. Particular focus is given to assessing the confinement effects in the infill concrete as well as their influence on the axial–bending cross-section strength interaction. The results show that whilst the capacity is reduced with the increase in the rubber replacement ratio, an enhanced confinement action is obtained for high rubber content concrete compared with conventional materials. Test measurements by means of digital image correlation techniques show that the confinement in axial compression and the neutral axis position under combined loading depend on the rubber content. Analytical procedures for determining the capacity of rubberised concrete infilled cross-sections are also considered based on the test results as well as those from a collated database and then compared with available recommendations. Rubber content-dependent modification factors are proposed to provide more realistic representations of the axial and flexural cross-section capacities. The test results and observations are used, in conjunction with a number of analytical assessments, to highlight the main parameters influencing the behaviour and to propose simplified expressions for determining the cross-section strength under combined compression and bending

Structural performance of composite steel rubberised concrete members under combined loading conditions

This paper investigates the structural behaviour of rubberised concrete-filled steel tubular (RuCFST) members under a wide range of axial-bending loading conditions. The results of an experimental programme on circular concrete-filled steel tubes (CFST), incorporating conventional and rubberised concrete (RuC) materials with various rubber content ratios, are presented. After describing the specimen details and testing arrangements, the influence of the RuC infill on the behaviour of test members in terms of moment-axial interaction and ductility, is examined. The test results show that whilst the cross-sectional capacity of RuCFST members is reduced with the increase in rubber content, significantly higher ductility is obtained compared with conventional counterparts. An enhancement of about 85% in ductility is obtained for members with 60% rubber content compared to those with conventional concrete. Finally, the test results are compared with current design guidelines, indicating that the latter tend to overestimate the capacity, particularly for relatively high rubber contents