Synchronization and variability imbalance underlie cognitive impairment in primary-progressive multiple sclerosis.

We aimed to investigate functional connectivity and variability across multiple frequency bands in brain networks underlying cognitive deficits in primary-progressive multiple sclerosis (PP-MS) and to explore how they are affected by the presence of cortical lesions (CLs). We analyzed functional connectivity and variability (measured as the standard deviation of BOLD signal amplitude) in resting state networks (RSNs) associated with cognitive deficits in different frequency bands in 25 PP-MS patients (12 M, mean age 50.9 ± 10.5 years) and 20 healthy subjects (9 M, mean age 51.0 ± 9.8 years). We confirmed the presence of a widespread cognitive deterioration in PP-MS patients, with main involvement of visuo-spatial and executive domains. Cognitively impaired patients showed increased variability, reduced synchronicity between networks involved in the control of cognitive macro-domains and hyper-synchronicity limited to the connections between networks functionally more segregated. CL volume was higher in patients with cognitive impairment and was correlated with functional connectivity and variability. We demonstrate, for the first time, that a functional reorganization characterized by hypo-synchronicity of functionally-related/hyper-synchronicity of functionally-segregated large scale networks and an abnormal pattern of neural activity underlie cognitive dysfunction in PP-MS, and that CLs possibly play a role in variability and functional connectivity abnormalities

New Integrated High-Resolution Dinoflagellate Cyst Stratigraphy and Litho- and Chemostratigraphy from the Paris and Dieppe–Hampshire Basins for the “Sparnacian”

The Paris Basin represents an historical cradle of Palaeogene stratigraphy, where during the nineteenth century the Palaeocene Series and the “Sparnacian Stage” were established. As highlighted by Aubry et al. (2005), whereas the chronostratigraphic connotation of the “Sparnacian Stage” has been controversial since its definition, modern studies of the late Palaeocene–early Eocene interval have revealed that the so-called “Sparnacian” deposits encompass a remarkable and short (~170 kyr) episode of the Cenozoic, the Palaeocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM, ~55.8–55.6 Ma). Dinoflagellate assemblages from the “Sparnacian” of the Dieppe–Hampshire and Paris basins do not contain the key species Apectodinium augustum, whereas it is present in the northern Belgian Basin Tienen Formation and is coeval there with the CIE and the Apectodinium acme interval. However, our calibration of the Apectodinium acme to the CIE in the Dieppe–Hampshire and Paris basins suggests its attribution to the A. augustum zone. The absence of species A. augustum in the Anglo–Paris Basin may be explained by its restriction to more offshore conditions

Limbic-thalamo-cortical projections and reward-related circuitry integrity affects eating behavior: A longitudinal DTI study in adolescents with restrictive eating disorders.

Few studies have used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to investigate the micro-structural alterations of WM in patients with restrictive eating disorders (rED), and longitudinal data are lacking. Twelve patients with rED were scanned at diagnosis and after one year of family-based treatment, and compared to twenty-four healthy controls (HCs) through DTI analysis. A tract-based spatial statistics procedure was used to investigate diffusivity parameters: fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean, radial and axial diffusivities (MD, RD and AD, respectively). Reduced FA and increased RD were found in patients at baseline in the corpus callosum, corona radiata and posterior thalamic radiation compared with controls. However, no differences were found between follow-up patients and controls, suggesting a partial normalization of the diffusivity parameters. In patients, trends for a negative correlation were found between the baseline FA of the right anterior corona radiata and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire total score, while a positive trend was found between the baseline FA in the splenium of corpus callosum and the weight loss occurred between maximal documented weight and time of admission. A positive trend for correlation was also found between baseline FA in the right anterior corona radiata and the decrease in the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory Revised total score over time. Our results suggest that the integrity of the limbic-thalamo-cortical projections and the reward-related circuitry are important for cognitive control processes and reward responsiveness in regulating eating behavior

Gender identity disorder and reassignment procedures. The moment of sex reassignment surgery: a clinical research

Objective. The aim of this paper is to analyze the moment of sex reassignment surgery in individuals with gender identity disorder. Material and methods. During a period of seven months, the subjects undergoing sex reassignment surgery at the Urological Clinic of the Hospital of Cattinara of the University of Trieste (7 individuals, average age 40, all maleto-female subjects), participated in a semi-structured questionnaire interview and completed the Machover Test used in an atypical way, three-four days after the operation. Results. All the subjects demonstrated a negatory attitude to the anxieties and suffering related to the surgery, but these feelings were present at an unconscious level as revealed by the dreams told by the patients. Very little attention was given to body's concreteness and this was especially evident in the results of the Machover Test. The emotional dimension immediately after the sex reassignment surgery was euphoric, almost manic. All the subjects stated they were pleased and they did not regret at all undergoing the operation. Conclusions. These initial results confirm that sex reassignment surgery is an appropriate therapy for gender identity disorder and they underline the necessity of doing a follow-up study on the same patients

Exploring mania-associated white matter injury by comparison with multiple sclerosis: a diffusion tensor imaging study

Bipolar disorder (BD), especially in its active phases, has shown some neuroimaging and immunological similarities with multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective of this study was to compare white matter (WM) alterations in BD patients in manic phase (M-BD) and MS patients at early stage of disease and with low lesion burden. We compared diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)-derived fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD) and radial diffusivity (RD) in a priori selected WM regions (i.e., corpus callosum and cingulum) betwixt 23 M-BD, 23 MS patients and 46 healthy controls. Both M-BD and MS showed WM changes in the corpus callosum, which, however, showed a greater impairment in MS patients. However, considering the different sub-regions of corpus callosum separately (i.e., genu, body, splenium), M-BD and MS presented an opposite pattern in spatial distribution of WM microstructure alterations, with a greater impairment in the anterior region in M-BD and in the posterior region in MS. Common features as well as divergent patterns in DTI changes are detected in M-BD and early MS, prompting a deeper investigation of analogies and differences in WM and immunological alterations of these disorders

Synchronization and variability imbalance underlie cognitive impairment in primary-progressive multiple sclerosis

open11siWe aimed to investigate functional connectivity and variability across multiple frequency bands in brain networks underlying cognitive deficits in primary-progressive multiple sclerosis (PP-MS) and to explore how they are affected by the presence of cortical lesions (CLs). We analyzed functional connectivity and variability (measured as the standard deviation of BOLD signal amplitude) in resting state networks (RSNs) associated with cognitive deficits in different frequency bands in 25 PP-MS patients (12 M, mean age 50.9 ± 10.5 years) and 20 healthy subjects (9 M, mean age 51.0 ± 9.8 years). We confirmed the presence of a widespread cognitive deterioration in PP-MS patients, with main involvement of visuo-spatial and executive domains. Cognitively impaired patients showed increased variability, reduced synchronicity between networks involved in the control of cognitive macro-domains and hyper-synchronicity limited to the connections between networks functionally more segregated. CL volume was higher in patients with cognitive impairment and was correlated with functional connectivity and variability. We demonstrate, from the first time, that a functional reorganization characterized by hypo-synchronicity of functionally-related/hyper-synchronicity of functionally-segregated large scale networks and an abnormal pattern of neural activity underlie cognitive dysfunction in PP-MS, and that CLs possibly play a role in variability and functional connectivity abnormalities.openPetracca M.; Saiote C.; Bender H.A.; Arias F.; Farrell C.; Magioncalda P.; Martino M.; Miller A.; Northoff G.; Lublin F.; Inglese M.Petracca, M.; Saiote, C.; Bender, H. A.; Arias, F.; Farrell, C.; Magioncalda, P.; Martino, M.; Miller, A.; Northoff, G.; Lublin, F.; Inglese, M

The Dababiya Quarry section: Lithostratigraphy, clay mineralogy, geochemistry and paleontology

The Global Standard Stratotype-section (GSSP) for the Paleocene/Eocene (P/E) boundary has been selected in the Dababiya Quarry, near Luxor, at the base of a lithostratigraphic unit where the base of the so-called Carbon Isotope Excursion (CIE) is recorded. The Dababiya Quarry offers remarkable three-dimensional exposures of the Upper Paleocene-Lower Eocene succession in the Nile Valley which comprises the Tarawan Chalk, the Esna Shale and the Thebes Limestone. The horizon that constitutes the P/E GSSP is located in the lower part of the Esna Shale Formation. This formation, remarkably thick (~130m) at Dababiya, is largely of homogenous gray shales. Its lower part includes, however, a thin lithostratigraphic unit in a typical succession of five characteristic beds that can be followed throughout Upper Egypt, and at the base of which the GSSP is defined. We formally describe this unit as the Dababiya Quarry Beds at the same time as we subdivide the Esna Shale Formation into three formal lithostratigraphic units. The Dababiya Quarry Beds constitute the lower part of Unit Esna 2. While we place emphasis on the description of the lithology, mineralogy, carbon isotope stratigraphy and paleontology of the Dababiya Beds, we provide a mineralogic and biostratigraphic framework for the whole exposure of Esna Shale at Dababiya that constitutes essentially a complete record from the base of calcareous nannofossil Zone NP9 to Zone NP11 and planktonic foraminiferal Zone P4 to P8. The carbon isotopic excursion, measured on organic matter is ~3m thick and has an amplitude of ~4‰. The planktonic foraminiferal excursion taxa are sporadic and the distinct Discoaster araneus-Rhomboaster spp. association is persistent throughout the CIE-interval