Investigating age-related changes in motor cortex excitability underlying fine

There is an age-related decline in fine motor control. Functional changes in the primary motor cortex may help explain the age-related decline in fine motor control. Both facilitatory and inhibitory processes in the motor cortex are important for the execution of movement. The aims of the current study were to systematically and comprehensively investigate age-related changes in motor cortical facilitation and inhibition and to investigate the role of these processes in fine motor control. In healthy younger (n = 26) and older adults (n = 21), fine motor control was measured using the Purdue pegboard and a unimanual circle task. Paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to measure short-interval intracortical facilitation (SICF) and short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) acting on an intrinsic hand muscle (important for fine motor control). Results show no difference in SICF between younger and older adults. When SICI was measured using TMS parameters corresponding to high levels of SICF, older adults showed less SICI than younger adults. When SICI was measured using TMS parameters corresponding to low levels of SICF, there was no difference in SICI between younger and older adults. Older adults showed a relationship between SICI and fine motor control, suggesting greater SICI results in better performance on fine motor control tests. Together findings suggest a complex interaction between the balance of facilitation and inhibition, and that this is affected by age and influences fine motor control. Keywords: aging, fine motor control, primary motor cortex, transcranial magnetic stimulation, short-interval intracortical facilitation, short-interval intracortical inhibitio

Profesjonalne siły zbrojne w społeczeństwie XXI wieku

W artykule, analizując środowisko bezpieczeństwa pierwszych dekad XXI wieku, przedstawiono zjawiska, które mogą spowodować powstanie zagrożeń i konfliktów społeczno-militarnych w nowoczesnym świecie. Zaprezentowano charakter i przebieg przyszłych konfliktów zbrojnych. Opisano zależności i wpływ rozwoju systemów uzbrojenia i techniki wojskowej na zdolności i cechy sił zbrojnych. Autorzy, zgodnie z naukowcami cywilnymi i wojskowymi prognozują, że do 2030 roku nastąpią zmiany w kilku dziedzinach, z których do najważniejszych można zaliczyć: bezprzewodowe sieci komputerowe, miniaturyzację i robotyzację oraz dynamiczny rozwój nauk biologicznych. W materiale zaprezentowano nowe zdolności sił zbrojnych. Przedstawiono kompetencje i przepisy prawne regulujące funkcjonowanie armii w kraju oraz na arenie międzynarodowej. Wykazano, jak błyskotliwa myśl, skuteczne zasady taktycznego, operacyjnego oraz strategicznego użycia sił zbrojnych wpływają na efekty pola walki. Wykazano również, jak zastosowanie nowoczesnych technologii, urządzeń i sprzętu wojskowego prowadzi do zmniejszenia liczebności sił zbrojnych z jednoczesnym przyrostem ich potencjału bojowego. Kończąc rozważania, wskazano wymagane, zdaniem autorów, zdolności Sił Zbrojnych RP 2030 roku.Studying the environment of security in the first decades of XXI century, this article discusses phenomena which may lead to rising threats and socio-military conflicts in the contemporary world. The paper presents the character and the course of future military conflicts. It discusses the correlation and impact of the development in weaponry systems as well as in military technique on the capability and quality of armed forces. In accordance with civil and military scientists, the authors predict that by 2030 changes will have occurred in a few fields, the most significant of which are: wireless computer networks, miniaturizing and robotizing, as well as a dynamic development of biological sciences. This material discusses new abilities of armed forces. It presents competences and legal regulations concerning the functioning of the army both in the national and international arena. It has been shown how a brilliant thought, effective rules of tactic, operational as well as strategic use of armed forces influence the battlefield results. It has also been proven how implementing new technologies, devices and equipment leads to a decrease in the number of armed forces together with an increase in their potential. Finally, the paper discusses the required, according to the authors, skills of the RP Armed Forces in 2030.В статье, на основе анализа сферы безопасности первых десятилетий XXI века, указаны явления, которые могут привести к нарушению безопасности и вызвать социально-военные конфликты в современном мире. В исследовании представлен характер и ход будущих вооруженных конфликтов. Описаны зависимости и влияние развития систем вооружения и военной техники на возможности и особенности вооруженных сил. Авторы, подобно как и другие гражданские и военные исследователи, прогнозируют, что к 2030 году произойдут значительные перемены, которые затронут такие важные направления, как: беспроводные компьютерные сети, миниатюризация и робототизация, биологические науки. В статье рассмотрены новые возможности вооруженных сил. Указаны компетенции и правовая база, регулирующие функционирование армии внутри страны и на международной арене. Показано, как новые идеи, эффективные правила тактического, оперативного и стратегического использования вооруженных сил влияют на эффекты поля боя. Показано также, как использование современных технологий, оборудования и военной техники ведут к сокращению численности вооруженных сил с одновременным увеличением их боевого потенциала. В заключительной части указаны наиболее, по-мнению авторов, востребованные способности польских вооруженных сил 2030 года

A High Throughput Screen Identifies Chemical Modulators of the Laminin-Induced Clustering of Dystroglycan and Aquaporin-4 in Primary Astrocytes

Background: Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) constitutes the principal water channel in the brain and is clusteredat the perivascular astrocyte endfeet. This specific distribution of AQP4 plays a major role in maintaining water homeostasis in the brain. A growing body of evidence points to a role ofthe dystroglycan complex and its interaction with perivascular laminin in the clusteringof AQP4 atperivascular astrocyte endfeet. Indeed, mice lacking components of this complex or in which laminindystroglycan interaction is disrupted show a delayed onset of brain edema due to a redistribution of AQP4 away from astrocyte endfeet. It is therefore important to identify inhibitory drugs of laminin-dependent AQP4 clustering which may prevent or reduce brain edema. Methodolgy/Principal Findings: In the present study we used primary rat astrocyte cultures toscreen a library of.3,500 chemicals and identified 6 drugs that inhibit the laminin-induced clustering of dystroglycan and AQP4. Detailed analysis of the inhibitory drug, chloranil, revealed that its inhibition of the clustering is due to the metalloproteinase-2-mediated ß-dystroglycan shedding and subsequent loss of laminin interaction with dystroglycan. Furthermore, chemical variants of chloranil induced a similar effect on ß-dystroglycan and this was prevented by the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine. Conclusion/Significance: These findings reveal the mechanism of action of chloranil in preventing the laminin-induced clustering of dystroglycan and AQP4 and validate the use of high-throughput screening as a tool to identify drugs tha

Fetal microglial phenotype in vitro carries memory of prior in vivo exposure to inflammation

Objective. Neuroinflammation in utero may result in life-long neurological disabilities. The molecular mechanisms whereby microglia contribute to this response remain incompletely understood. Methods. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or saline were administered intravenously to non-anesthetized chronically instrumented near-term fetal sheep to model fetal inflammation in vivo. Microglia were then isolated from in vivo LPS and saline (naïve) exposed animals. To mimic the second hit of neuroinflammation, these microglia were then re-exposed to LPS in vitro. Cytokine responses were measured in vivo and subsequently in vitro in the primary microglia cultures derived from these animals. We sequenced the whole transcriptome of naïve and second hit microglia and profiled their genetic expression to define molecular pathways disrupted during neuroinflammation.Results. In vivo LPS exposure resulted in IL-6 increase in fetal plasma 3 h post LPS exposure. Even though not histologically apparent, microglia acquired a pro-inflammatory phenotype in vivo that was sustained and amplified in vitro upon second hit LPS exposure as measured by IL-1β response in vitro and RNAseq analyses. While NFKB and Jak-Stat inflammatory pathways were up regulated in naïve microglia, heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1) and Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBP) genes were uniquely differentially expressed in the second hit microglia. Microglial calreticulin/LRP genes implicated in microglia-neuronal communication relevant for the neuronal development were up regulated in second hit microglia.Discussion. We identified a unique HMOX1down and FBPup phenotype of microglia exposed to the double-hit suggesting interplay of inflammatory and metabolic pathways as a memory of prior inflammatory insult. These findings suggest new therapeutic targets for early postnatal intervention to prevent brain injury

Simulators in the Process of Flight Training

The article describes the use of air simulators in the process of training and further professional development of personnel. Aviation tasks are realized in an environment which is difficult for the human being. The process of training and flight enhancement is supported, to a larger extent, by simulation training. The process of theoretical and practical training must take place in conditions which are close to the situation occurring in real world as much as possible

Activating Methods of Command in the Army

The article presents inspirational methods of command, which might be helpful in the decision making process on the battlefield on tactical and operational levels. The methods allow activating subordinates as well as delegating authority. They also carry qualities and functions that allow taking full advantage of the knowledge and wisdom of subordinates. They may also become useful in the implementation of the training process and current activities

Wellbody Alliance, Sierra Leone

Pharmacy Project: Inventory database development Streamlined tracking of daily and monthly drug dispensing New database to plan requisitions based on trend