Personality as a Predictor of Disability in Multiple Sclerosis.

As personality changes and personality disorders are frequently observed in multiple sclerosis (MS), personality may be a prognostic factor for this disease. The present study investigated the influence of personality on disability, progression, and treatment adherence in MS. Personality was assessed in 41 patients with Relapsing-Remitting MS (30 females; mean age = 42.63 years) using the NEO Personality Inventory-3rd edition. Disability was measured with the Expanded Disability Status Scale, and treatment adherence information was collected from the Swiss MS Cohort. Correlation, multiple linear and partial least square regressions were performed to examine relations between personality, disability, and treatment adherence in MS. After accounting for age and time since disease onset, our analysis revealed that Neuroticism (β = 0.32, p = 0.01) and its Vulnerability facet (β = 0.28, p < 0.05) predicted greater disability, whereas Extraversion (β = -0.25, p = 0.04) and its Activity facet (β = -0.23, p < 0.05) predicted milder disability. Regarding disability progression, correlational analysis revealed that it was negatively correlated with Extraversion (r = -0.44, p = 0.02) and the Feelings facet of Openness (r = -0.41, p = 0.03), but regressions failed to highlight any predictive links. No significant results could be demonstrated for treatment adherence. Overall, our study showed that some personality traits can impact disability in MS, indicating that these should be considered in clinical practice, as they could be used to adapt and improve patients' clinical support

Zinc-gallium oxynitride powders: effect of the oxide precursor synthesis route

International audienceZinc-gallium oxynitride powders (ZnGaON) were synthesized by nitridation of ZnGa2O4 oxide precursor obtained by polymeric precursors (PP) and solid state reaction (SSR) methods and the influence of the synthesis route of ZnGa2O4 on the final compound ZnGaON was investigated. Crystalline single phase ZnGa2O4 was obtained at 1100 oC / 12 h by SSR and at 600 oC / 2 h by PP with different grain sizes and specific surface areas according to the synthesis route. After nitridation, ZnGaON oxynitrides with a GaN würtzite-type structure were obtained in both cases, however at lower temperatures for PP samples. The microstructure and the specific surface area were strongly dependent on the oxide synthesis method and on the nitridation temperature (42 m2g-1 and 5 m2g-1 for PP and SSR oxides treated at 700 °C, respectively). The composition analyses showed a strong loss of Zn for the PP samples, favored by the increase of ammonolysis temperature and by the higher specific surface area

New insights into phloem unloading and expression of sucrose transporters in vegetative sinks of the parasitic plant Phelipanche ramosa L. (Pomel)

The plant-parasitic plant interaction is a interesting model to study sink-source relationship and phloem unloading. The parasitic plants, such as the achlorophyllous plant Phelipanche ramosa, connect to the host phloem through the haustorium and act as supernumerary sinks for the host-derived photoassimilates, primarily sucrose. The application of the fluorescent symplastic tracer, carboxyfluorescein (CF) derived from carboxyfluorescein diacetate (CFDA), to the leaves of the host plant (Brassica napus) showed direct phloem connections at the host-parasite interface. These experiments also evidenced the dominant apoplastic pathway for phloem unloading in major vegetative sinks of the parasite, including tubercles and shoots, except the adventitious root apices. The CF experiments showed also the symplastic isolation of the phloem tissues from the sink tissues in tubercle and shoot of the parasite, then suggesting the pivotal role of sucrose transporters in sucrose unloading in P. ramosa sinks. Three cDNAs encoding sucrose transporters (PrSUT) were isolated from the parasitic plant. PrSUT1 transcripts accumulated at the same level in the tubercle throughout the parasite growth while a significant increase in transcript accumulation occurred after emergence in the flowering shoot, notably in the growing apical part. The in situ hybridization experiments revealed the PrSUT1 transcript accumulation in the mature phloem cells of both subterranean and flowering shoots, as well as in shoot terminal sinks corresponding to apical meristem, scale leaf primordia and immature vasculature. The transient expression experiments in Arabidopsis protoplasts showed that PrSUT1 was localized at the plasma membrane, suggesting its role in phloem functioning and sucrose uptake by the sink cells in P. ramosa. Conversely, the PrSUT2 transcript accumulation was constantly low in tubercles and shoots but PrSUT3 transcripts accumulated markedly in the subterranean and flowering shoots, in concordance with the PrSUT3 mRNA accumulation in multiple sink areas including apical meristem, scale-leaf primordia, immature vasculature and even storage parenchyma. However, the PrSUT3 transcripts did not accumulate in the mature phloem cells. The transient expression experiments in Arabidopsis protoplasts suggested a tonoplast localization of PrSUT3, for which nevertheless the involvement in intracellular sucrose transport needs clarification

Acute TNFα levels predict cognitive impairment 6-9 months after COVID-19 infection.

A neurocognitive phenotype of post-COVID-19 infection has recently been described that is characterized by a lack of awareness of memory impairment (i.e., anosognosia), altered functional connectivity in the brain's default mode and limbic networks, and an elevated monocyte count. However, the relationship between these cognitive and brain functional connectivity alterations in the chronic phase with the level of cytokines during the acute phase has yet to be identified. Determine whether acute cytokine type and levels is associated with anosognosia and functional patterns of brain connectivity 6-9 months after infection. We analyzed the predictive value of the concentration of acute cytokines (IL-1RA, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IFNγ, G-CSF, GM-CSF) (cytokine panel by multiplex immunoassay) in the plasma of 39 patients (mean age 59 yrs, 38-78) in relation to their anosognosia scores for memory deficits via stepwise linear regression. Then, associations between the different cytokines and brain functional connectivity patterns were analyzed by MRI and multivariate partial least squares correlations for the whole group. Stepwise regression modeling allowed us to show that acute TNFα levels predicted (R <sup>2</sup> = 0.145; β = -0.38; p = .017) and were associated (r = -0.587; p < .001) with scores of anosognosia for memory deficits observed 6-9 months post-infection. Finally, high TNFα levels were associated with hippocampal, temporal pole, accumbens nucleus, amygdala, and cerebellum connectivity. Increased plasma TNFα levels in the acute phase of COVID-19 predict the presence of long-term anosognosia scores and changes in limbic system functional connectivity

Nitrogen hydrides in interstellar gas: Herschel/HIFI observations towards G10.6-0.4 (W31C)

The HIFI instrument on board the Herschel Space Observatory has been used to observe interstellar nitrogen hydrides along the sight-line towards G10.6-0.4 in order to improve our understanding of the interstellar chemistry of nitrogen. We report observations of absorption in NH N=1-0, J=2-1 and ortho-NH2 1_1,1-0_0,0. We also observed ortho-NH3 1_0-0_0, and 2_0-1_0, para-NH3 2_1-1_1, and searched unsuccessfully for NH+. All detections show emission and absorption associated directly with the hot-core source itself as well as absorption by foreground material over a wide range of velocities. All spectra show similar, non-saturated, absorption features, which we attribute to diffuse molecular gas. Total column densities over the velocity range 11-54 km/s are estimated. The similar profiles suggest fairly uniform abundances relative to hydrogen, approximately 6*10^-9, 3*10^-9, and 3*10^-9 for NH, NH2, and NH3, respectively. These abundances are discussed with reference to models of gas-phase and surface chemistry.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, 2 online pages with 2 figures. Accepted for publication in A&A July 6 (Herschel/HIFI special issue

Brain functional connectivity alterations associated with neuropsychological performance 6-9 months following SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Neuropsychological deficits and brain damage following SARS-CoV-2 infection are not well understood. Then, 116 patients, with either severe, moderate, or mild disease in the acute phase underwent neuropsychological and olfactory tests, as well as completed psychiatric and respiratory questionnaires at 223 ± 42 days postinfection. Additionally, a subgroup of 50 patients underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging. Patients in the severe group displayed poorer verbal episodic memory performances, and moderate patients had reduced mental flexibility. Neuroimaging revealed patterns of hypofunctional and hyperfunctional connectivities in severe patients, while only hyperconnectivity patterns were observed for moderate. The default mode, somatosensory, dorsal attention, subcortical, and cerebellar networks were implicated. Partial least squares correlations analysis confirmed specific association between memory, executive functions performances and brain functional connectivity. The severity of the infection in the acute phase is a predictor of neuropsychological performance 6-9 months following SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 infection causes long-term memory and executive dysfunctions, related to large-scale functional brain connectivity alterations

Inter-hemispheric EEG coherence analysis in Parkinson's disease : Assessing brain activity during emotion processing

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is not only characterized by its prominent motor symptoms but also associated with disturbances in cognitive and emotional functioning. The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of emotion processing on inter-hemispheric electroencephalography (EEG) coherence in PD. Multimodal emotional stimuli (happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise, and disgust) were presented to 20 PD patients and 30 age-, education level-, and gender-matched healthy controls (HC) while EEG was recorded. Inter-hemispheric coherence was computed from seven homologous EEG electrode pairs (AF3–AF4, F7–F8, F3–F4, FC5–FC6, T7–T8, P7–P8, and O1–O2) for delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands. In addition, subjective ratings were obtained for a representative of emotional stimuli. Interhemispherically, PD patients showed significantly lower coherence in theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands than HC during emotion processing. No significant changes were found in the delta frequency band coherence. We also found that PD patients were more impaired in recognizing negative emotions (sadness, fear, anger, and disgust) than relatively positive emotions (happiness and surprise). Behaviorally, PD patients did not show impairment in emotion recognition as measured by subjective ratings. These findings suggest that PD patients may have an impairment of inter-hemispheric functional connectivity (i.e., a decline in cortical connectivity) during emotion processing. This study may increase the awareness of EEG emotional response studies in clinical practice to uncover potential neurophysiologic abnormalities

Interplay of tectonics and magmatism during post-rift inversion on the central West Iberian Margin (Estremadura Spur)

ABSTRACT: The combined effects of post-rift magma emplacement and tectonic inversion on the hyper-extended West Iberian Margin are unravelled in detail using multichan nel 2D/3D seismic data. The Estremadura Spur, acting as an uplifted crustal block bounded by two first-order transfer zones, shows evidence of four post-rift tectonic events each with a distinctive seismic-stratigraphic response that can be used to dem onstrate the tectono-magmatic interplay, namely: (a) the Campanian onset of mag matism (including the Fontanelas Volcano, the widespread evidence of multiple sill complexes and the detailed description of a >20 km long laccolith, the Estremadura Spur Intrusion; (b) the Campanian-Maastrichtian NE-SW event pervasively affecting the area, resulting in regional uplift, reverse faulting and folding; (c) the Paleocene mid Eocene inversion that resulted in widespread erosion and; (d) the Oligocene-mid Miocene evidence of rejuvenated NW-SE inversion marked by crestal faulting and forced-fault folding establishing the final geometry of the area. The distinct deforma tion styles within each tectonic phase document a case of decoupled deformation be tween Late Cretaceous and Tertiary units, in response to the predominant stress field evolution, revealing that the magnitude of Late Cretaceous inversion is far more sig nificant than the one affecting the latter units. A detailed analysis of the laccolith and its overburden demonstrate the distinct deformation patterns associated both with magma ascent (including extensional faulting, forced-folding and concentric reverse faulting) and its interference as a rigid intrusive body during subsequent transpres sive inversion. This reinforces the role that the combined tectono-magmatic events played on the margin. Also analysed is the wider impact of post-rift magmatism and the associate emplacement of sub-lithospheric magma on the rheology of a thinned continental crust. This takes into account the simultaneous tectonic inversion of the margin, the implied alternative views on characteristic heat flow, and on how these can be incorporated in source rock organic maturity modelling.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio