Proprioception in motor learning: : lessons from a deafferented subject

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of the following article: N. Yousif, J. Cole, J. Rothwell, and J. Diedrichsen, ‘Proprioception in motor learning: lessons from a deafferented subject’, Experimental Brain Research, Vol. 233 (8): 2449-2459, August 2015. The final publication is available at Springer via https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-015-4315-8.Proprioceptive information arises from a variety of channels, including muscle, tendon, and skin afferents. It tells us where our static limbs are in space and how they are moving. It remains unclear however, how these proprioceptive modes contribute to motor learning. Here, we studied a subject (IW) who has lost large myelinated fibres below the neck and found that he was strongly impaired in sensing the static position of his upper limbs, when passively moved to an unseen location. When making reaching movements however, his ability to discriminate in which direction the trajectory had been diverted was unimpaired. This dissociation allowed us to test the involvement of static and dynamic proprioception in motor learning. We found that IW showed a preserved ability to adapt to force fields when visual feedback was present. He was even sensitive to the exact form of the force perturbation, responding appropriately to a velocity- or position-dependent force after a single perturbation. The ability to adapt to force fields was also preserved when visual feedback about the lateral perturbation of the hand was withdrawn. In this experiment, however, he did not exhibit a form of use-dependent learning, which was evident in the control participants as a drift of the intended direction of the reaching movement in the perturbed direction. This suggests that this form of learning may depend on static position sense at the end of the movement. Our results indicate that dynamic and static proprioception play dissociable roles in motor learning.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Proprioception in motor learning: : lessons from a deafferented subject

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of the following article: N. Yousif, J. Cole, J. Rothwell, and J. Diedrichsen, ‘Proprioception in motor learning: lessons from a deafferented subject’, Experimental Brain Research, Vol. 233 (8): 2449-2459, August 2015. The final publication is available at Springer via https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-015-4315-8.Proprioceptive information arises from a variety of channels, including muscle, tendon, and skin afferents. It tells us where our static limbs are in space and how they are moving. It remains unclear however, how these proprioceptive modes contribute to motor learning. Here, we studied a subject (IW) who has lost large myelinated fibres below the neck and found that he was strongly impaired in sensing the static position of his upper limbs, when passively moved to an unseen location. When making reaching movements however, his ability to discriminate in which direction the trajectory had been diverted was unimpaired. This dissociation allowed us to test the involvement of static and dynamic proprioception in motor learning. We found that IW showed a preserved ability to adapt to force fields when visual feedback was present. He was even sensitive to the exact form of the force perturbation, responding appropriately to a velocity- or position-dependent force after a single perturbation. The ability to adapt to force fields was also preserved when visual feedback about the lateral perturbation of the hand was withdrawn. In this experiment, however, he did not exhibit a form of use-dependent learning, which was evident in the control participants as a drift of the intended direction of the reaching movement in the perturbed direction. This suggests that this form of learning may depend on static position sense at the end of the movement. Our results indicate that dynamic and static proprioception play dissociable roles in motor learning.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Study the Efficiency of Two Concentrations from Algae Cladophora glomerata Extract on the Giardia lamblia parasite

خلال الدراسة الحالية تم عزل طفيلي Giardia lamblia من عينات البراز لمرضى مصابين باسهال Giardiasis  حيث تم عزل الطفيلي و تنميته باستخدام وسط HSP . استعان الباحثون بفئران تجريبيه بواقع اربع مجاميع من الفئران وذلك لتقييم فعالية تركيزين (128,256)ملغم /مل من مستخلص كلوروفورم للطحالب الخضراء Cladophora glomerata ضد الطفيلي المعزول ومقارنة بالعلاج التجاري للطفيلي) (Flagyl وذلك بقياس بعض المؤشرات مثل انزيمات الكبد GPTand GOT)) , مستوى تراكيز الصوديوم والبوتاسيوم والحديد بالدم اضافة الى تعداد اكياس الطفيلي لبراز كل مجموعة من مجاميع الفئران المستخدمة خلال التجربة , اظهرت النتائج انحدار في مستويات انزيمات الكبد بعد معالجة الفئران المصابة بالطفيلي بمستخلص الطحالب. بينما اشرت قياسات مستوى الصوديوم والبوتاسيوم و الحديد زيادة بعد العلاج بمستخلص الطحلب .وبالنسبة لتعداد اكياس الطفيلي فقد قل تعدادها في براز الفئران المصابة بعد تجريعها فمويا بمستخلص الطحلب مقارنة بالعلاج التجاري .واخيرا تم الكشف عن المركبات الفعالة في مستخلص الطحالب المدروسة باجراء فحص  GC-Mass حيث اظهرت نتائج الفحص وجود العديد من المركبات ذات فعالية بايولوجية متنوعة . تعتبر هذه الدراسة الاولى على مستوى العالم لبيان امكانية استخدام المركبات الفعالة بايولوجيا الموجوده في طحلب Cladophora glomerata كعلاج مناسب وبديل عن العلاج المصنع للقضاء على اصابات الطفيلي Giardia.Giardia lamblia parasite was isolated from the diarrhea samples of patients with Giardiasis dysentery and was developed in HSP media, four mice groups have been used to find in vivo efficacy of two concentrations (128,256) mg/ml of chlorophorm extracts from Cladophora glomerata algae against Giardia lamblia parasite  as compared with (Flagyl) by measuring several biochemical markers as ( GPT and GOT) enzymes ,sodium ,potassium and iron concentration as well as counting the number of parasitic cysts in each mice groups. The results demonstrate that levels of GPTA GOT enzymes have been decreased in mice treated with algal extract. As for the concentration of the Sodium, Potassium and Iron increased in mice treated with algal extract. The number of the Giardia cyst is also reduced in orally inoculated mice with both concentrations of algal extract as compared with positive control and the Flagyl treated group. In terms of bioactive compounds, GC-Mass results indicate the presence of many phytochemicals with different biologically active properties This study represents the first attempt to use Cladophora glomerata derived from phytochemicals to treat giardiasis in vivo

Sintetička biomaziva bazna ulja od epoksidirane ricinolne kiseline poboljšanih niskotemperaturnih svojstava

This paper presents a series of structural modifications of epoxidized ricinoleic acid for biolubricant to improve the cold flow behavior and oxidation stability of vegetable oils through measurement of pour point (PP) and oxidation onset temperature (OT) and signal maximum temperature (SMT) of each synthetic compound. The results showed that butyl 10,12-dihydroxy-9-behenoxystearate with bulky ester behenyl mid-chain exhibited the most favorable low-temperature performance ϑPP=– 47 °C). On the other hand, butyl 10,12-dihydroxy-9-octyloxystearate exhibited higher oxidation stability (ϑOT = 221 °C) than the other synthetic esters. It was discovered that increasing chain length of the mid-chain ester had a positive influence on the low temperature properties of synthesized compounds. Improved oxidation stability is achieved when the chain length of the mid-chain ester decreases. The synthesized ester structures were confirmed by NMR and FTIR analysis.Opisan je veći broj strukturnih preinaka epoksidirane ricinolne kiseline kojima se poboljšavaju neka uporabna svojstva kada služe kao biomaziva ulja. Posebice su poboljšana svojstva niskotemperaturne tečljivosti i oksidacijske postojanosti. Također su utvrđeni indeksi viskoznosti, plamišta i iskoristivosti pri sintezi opisanih estera. Dobiveni rezultati ukazuju da je poboljšanje niskotemperaturnih svojstava izravno razmjerno povećanju veličine esterskih skupina središnjeg dijela molekula, dočim je suprotni utjecaj na njihovu oksidacijsku postojanost. Tako, najbolja niskotemperaturna svojstva (stinište -47°C) posjeduje butil-10,12-dihidroksi-9-behenoktilstearat, zahvaljujući velikim sterički ometanim esterskim skupinama središnjeg dijela molekula. S druge strane, najveću oksidacijsku postojanost posjeduje butil-10,12-dihidroksi-9-oktilstearat (ϑOT = 221 °C), zahvaljujući maloj veličini središnje esterske skupine. Struktura priređenih estera potvrđena je spektroskopskim metodama prvenstveno spektrima NMR i FTIR

Emulsifying properties of defatted rice bran concentrates enriched in fiber and proteins

BACKGROUND: Rice bran (RB), a by-product of the rice milling industry, constitutes around 10% of the total weight of rough rice. The interest in the use of RB is centered on its nutritional quality, its low cost, and its extensive worldwide production. As RB is commonly used for oil extraction, the defatted rice bran (DRB) is obtained as a second by-product. The aim of this work was to obtain a defatted rice bran concentrate (DRBC), enriched in protein and fiber, from defatted rice bran flour (DRBF) and to determine its physicochemical and emulsifying properties. RESULTS: To obtain the DRBC, the starch was efficiently hydrolyzed (> 98%) with α-amylase and amyloglucosidase, with a concomitant increase in the proportions of crude protein (from 154.7 to 274.3 g kg−1) and total dietary fiber (from 276.1 to 492.3 g kg−1). Defatted rice bran concentrate exhibited a loss of protein solubility and increased surface hydrophobicity compared with DRBF. Defatted rice-bran concentrate dispersions with and without previous ultrasound treatment were prepared. The sonication led to an increase in the apparent viscosity. Emulsions were prepared with dispersions with and without previous ultrasound treatment and showed high stability in quiescent conditions over 28 days. However, the emulsions prepared with dispersions treated with ultrasound resulted in lower D4,3 values and higher elastic and viscous moduli. CONCLUSION: The rice bran concentrate can be used to obtain stable oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions, including both soluble and insoluble fractions, in acidic and neutral conditions. These innovative findings thus contribute to increasing the added value of this important by-product of the rice-milling industry.Fil: Bonifacino, Carla. Universidad de la República. Facultad de Química; UruguayFil: Franco Fraguas, Eugenia. Universidad de la República. Facultad de Química; UruguayFil: López, Débora Natalia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química y Física. Área Fisicoquímica; Argentina. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires". Facultad de Química e Ingeniería-Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Wagner, Jorge Ricardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Investigación en Funcionalidad y Tecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Cabezas, Dario Marcelino. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Investigación en Funcionalidad y Tecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Panizzolo, Luis Alberto. Universidad de la República. Facultad de Química; UruguayFil: Palazolo, Gonzalo Gastón. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Investigación en Funcionalidad y Tecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Abirached, Cecilia. Universidad de la República. Facultad de Química; Urugua

Oleic Acid Counters Impaired Blastocyst Development Induced by Palmitic Acid During Mouse Preimplantation Development: Understanding Obesity-Related Declines in Fertility

Obesity is associated with altered fatty acid profiles, reduced fertility, and assisted reproductive technology (ART) success. The effects of palmitic acid (PA), oleic acid (OA), and their combination on mouse preimplantation development, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathway gene expression, lipid droplet formation, and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) were characterized. Two-cell stage mouse embryos collected from superovulated and mated CD1 females were placed into culture with KSOMaa medium, or PA alone or in combination with OA for 46 h. PA significantly reduced blastocyst development in a concentration-dependent manner, which was prevented by co-treatment with OA. PA and OA levels in mouse reproductive tracts were assessed by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS). LC-MS indicated higher concentrations of PA in the mouse oviduct than the uterus. Transcript analysis revealed that PA alone groups had increased ER stress pathway (ATF3, CHOP, and XBP1 splicing) mRNAs, which was alleviated by OA co-treatment. OA co-treatment significantly increased lipid droplet accumulation and significantly decreased mitochondrial ROS from PA treatment alone. PA treatment for only 24 h significantly reduced its impact on blastocyst development from the 2-cell stage. Thus, PA affects ER stress pathway gene expression, lipid droplet accumulation, and mitochondrial ROS in treated preimplantation embryos. These mechanisms may serve to offset free fatty acid exposure effects on preimplantation development, but their protective ability may be overwhelmed by elevated PA

Charged domain walls as quantum strings living on a lattice

A generic lattice cut-off model is introduced describing the quantum meandering of a single cuprate stripe. The fixed point dynamics is derived, showing besides free string behavior a variety of partially quantum disordered phases, bearing relationships both with quantum spin-chains and surface statistical physics.Comment: 22 page, 17 figure

A Network Model of Local Field Potential Activity in Essential Tremor and the Impact of Deep Brain Stimulation

Essential tremor (ET), a movement disorder characterised by an uncontrollable shaking of the affected body part, is often professed to be the most common movement disorder, affecting up to one percent of adults over 40 years of age. The precise cause of ET is unknown, however pathological oscillations of a network of a number of brain regions are implicated in leading to the disorder. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a clinical therapy used to alleviate the symptoms of a number of movement disorders. DBS involves the surgical implantation of electrodes into specific nuclei in the brain. For ET the targeted region is the ventralis intermedius (Vim) nucleus of the thalamus. Though DBS is effective for treating ET, the mechanism through which the therapeutic effect is obtained is not understood. To elucidate the mechanism underlying the pathological network activity and the effect of DBS on such activity, we take a computational modelling approach combined with electrophysiological data. The pathological brain activity was recorded intra-operatively via implanted DBS electrodes, whilst simultaneously recording muscle activity of the affected limbs. We modelled the network hypothesised to underlie ET using the Wilson-Cowan approach. The modelled network exhibited oscillatory behaviour within the tremor frequency range, as did our electrophysiological data. By applying a DBS-like input we suppressed these oscillations. This study shows that the dynamics of the ET network support oscillations at the tremor frequency and the application of a DBS-like input disrupts this activity, which could be one mechanism underlying the therapeutic benefit

Improving ultrasound video classification: an evaluation of novel deep learning methods in echocardiography

Echocardiography is the commonest medical ultrasound examination, but automated interpretation is challenging and hinges on correct recognition of the ‘view’ (imaging plane and orientation). Current state-of-the-art methods for identifying the view computationally involve 2-dimensional convolutional neural networks (CNNs), but these merely classify individual frames of a video in isolation, and ignore information describing the movement of structures throughout the cardiac cycle. Here we explore the efficacy of novel CNN architectures, including time-distributed networks and two-stream networks, which are inspired by advances in human action recognition. We demonstrate that these new architectures more than halve the error rate of traditional CNNs from 8.1% to 3.9%. These advances in accuracy may be due to these networks’ ability to track the movement of specific structures such as heart valves throughout the cardiac cycle. Finally, we show the accuracies of these new state-of-the-art networks are approaching expert agreement (3.6% discordance), with a similar pattern of discordance between views