A brain-computer interface based cognitive training system for healthy elderly: A randomized control pilot study for usability and preliminary efficacy

10.1371/journal.pone.0079419PLoS ONE811-POLN

Drosophila Dynein Intermediate Chain Gene, Dic61B, Is Required for Spermatogenesis

This study reports the identification and characterization of a novel gene, Dic61B, required for male fertility in Drosophila. Complementation mapping of a novel male sterile mutation, ms21, isolated in our lab revealed it to be allelic to CG7051 at 61B1 cytogenetic region, since two piggyBac insertion alleles, CG7051c05439 and CG7051f07138 failed to complement. CG7051 putatively encodes a Dynein intermediate chain. All three mutants, ms21, CG7051c05439 and CG7051f07138, exhibited absolute recessive male sterility with abnormally coiled sperm axonemes causing faulty sperm individualization as revealed by Phalloidin staining in Don Juan-GFP background. Sequencing of PCR amplicons uncovered two point mutations in ms21 allele and confirmed the piggyBac insertions in CG7051c05439 and CG7051f07138 alleles to be in 5′UTR and 4th exon of CG7051 respectively, excision of which reverted the male sterility. In situ hybridization to polytene chromosomes demonstrated CG7051 to be a single copy gene. RT-PCR of testis RNA revealed defective splicing of the CG7051 transcripts in mutants. Interestingly, expression of cytoplasmic dynein intermediate chain, α, β, γ tubulins and α-spectrin was normal in mutants while ultra structural studies revealed defects in the assembly of sperm axonemes. Bioinformatics further highlighted the homology of CG7051 to axonemal dynein intermediate chain of various organisms, including DNAI1 of humans, mutations in which lead to male sterility due to immotile sperms. Based on these observations we conclude that CG7051 encodes a novel axonemal dynein intermediate chain essential for male fertility in Drosophila and rename it as Dic61B. This is the first axonemal Dic gene of Drosophila to be characterized at molecular level and shown to be required for spermatogenesis

Trauma & the reproductive lifecycle in women Trauma e o ciclo reprodutivo feminino

Women are at significantly higher risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than men, resulting in increased psychosocial burden and healthcare related costs. Recent research has shown complex interactions between the impact of traumatic experiences, and the reproductive lifecycle in women. For example, women suffering from premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) who also report a history of sexual or physical abuse are more likely to present with different neuroendocrine reactivity to stressors, when compared to premenstrual dysphoric disorder subjects without prior history of trauma or abuse or non-premenstrual dysphoric disorder subjects. In addition, women with a history of abuse or trauma may experience re-emergence of symptoms during pregnancy. Lastly, females who experience miscarriage may present with even higher prevalence rates of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. In this manuscript we examine the existing data on gender differences in post-traumatic stress disorder, with particular focus on psychological and physiological factors that might be relevant to the development of symptoms after exposure to traumatic events associated with the reproductive life cycle. Current options available for the treatment of such symptoms, including group and counselling therapies and debriefing are critically reviewed.<br>Mulheres estão sujeitas a um maior risco para o desenvolvimento de transtorno de estresse pós-traumático (TEPT) do que os homens, o que acarreta prejuízos e custos significativos do ponto de vista psicossocial e de saúde pública. Estudos recentes mostram interações complexas entre o impacto de experiências traumáticas e o ciclo reprodutivo feminino. Por exemplo, mulheres com transtorno disfórico pré-menstrual (TDPM), que também relatam histórico de trauma ou abuso físico, estão mais sujeitas a apresentar uma resposta neuroendócrina diferenciada após exposição a um fator ou evento estressante, quando comparadas a mulheres com TDPM e sem história de abuso ou mulheres sem TDPM. Além disso, mulheres com histórico de trauma ou abuso podem apresentar recidiva de sintomas durante a gravidez. Por fim, aquelas que sofrem abortamento estão mais sujeitas ao desenvolvimento de sintomas do transtorno de estresse pós-traumático. Neste artigo, examinamos os dados existentes sobre diferenças de gênero e transtorno de estresse pós-traumático, com enfoque especial nos fatores psicológicos e fisiológicos mais relevantes para o surgimento de sintomas após exposição a eventos traumáticos relacionados ao ciclo reprodutivo feminino. Opções terapêuticas existentes são criticamente revistas, incluído terapias de aconselhamento e a técnica de debriefing psicológico