Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Reveals Neuroprotection by Oral Minocycline in a Nonhuman Primate Model of Accelerated NeuroAIDS

Background: Despite the advent of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders continue to be a significant problem. In efforts to understand and alleviate neurocognitive deficits associated with HIV, we used an accelerated simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) macaque model of NeuroAIDS to test whether minocycline is neuroprotective against lentiviral-induced neuronal injury. Methodology/Principal Findings: Eleven rhesus macaques were infected with SIV, depleted of CD8+ lymphocytes, and studied until eight weeks post inoculation (wpi). Seven animals received daily minocycline orally beginning at 4 wpi. Neuronal integrity was monitored in vivo by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and post-mortem by immunohistochemistry for synaptophysin (SYN), microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), and neuronal counts. Astrogliosis and microglial activation were quantified by measuring glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (IBA-1), respectively. SIV infection followed by CD8+ cell depletion induced a progressive decline in neuronal integrity evidenced by declining N-acetylaspartate/creatine (NAA/Cr), which was arrested with minocycline treatment. The recovery of this ratio was due to increases in NAA, indicating neuronal recovery, and decreases in Cr, likely reflecting downregulation of glial cell activation. SYN, MAP2, and neuronal counts were found to be higher in minocycline-treated animals compared to untreated animals while GFAP and IBA-1 expression were decreased compared to controls. CSF and plasma viral loads were lower in MN-treated animals. Conclusions/Significance: In conclusion, oral minocycline alleviates neuronal damage induced by the AIDS virus

Multimodal imaging brain markers in early adolescence are linked with a physically active lifestyle

The World Health Organization promotes physical exercise and a healthy lifestyle as means to improve youth development. However, relationships between physical lifestyle and human brain development are not fully understood. Here, we asked whether a human brain–physical latent mode of covariation underpins the relationship between physical activity, fitness, and physical health measures with multimodal neuroimaging markers. In 50 12-year old school pupils (26 females), we acquired multimodal whole-brain MRI, characterizing brain structure, microstructure, function, myelin content, and blood perfusion. We also acquired physical variables measuring objective fitness levels, 7 d physical activity, body mass index, heart rate, and blood pressure. Using canonical correlation analysis, we unravel a latent mode of brain–physical covariation, independent of demographics, school, or socioeconomic status. We show that MRI metrics with greater involvement in this mode also showed spatially extended patterns across the brain. Specifically, global patterns of greater gray matter perfusion, volume, cortical surface area, greater white matter extra-neurite density, and resting state networks activity covaried positively with measures reflecting a physically active phenotype (high fit, low sedentary individuals). Showing that a physically active lifestyle is linked with systems-level brain MRI metrics, these results suggest widespread associations relating to several biological processes. These results support the notion of close brain-body relationships and underline the importance of investigating modifiable lifestyle factors not only for physical health but also for brain health early in adolescence

Inventaire des moustiques (Diptera : Culicidae) des îles du sud-ouest de l’océan Indien, Madagascar excepté — Une revue critique

International audienceInventory of the mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of the islands of southwestern Indian Ocean, Madagascar excluded-A Critical Review. The biodiversity of mosquitoes in the islands of southwestern Indian Ocean is the concern of numerous publications. Here, we propose a synthetic inventory and the analysis of the mosquito diversity, based on the available literature. A comprehensive annotated checklist of mosquito species has been recently published on Madagascar; this is the reason why this land is excluded from our work. Studied area encompasses 28 tropical islands in the southern hemisphere: 4 islands in the Comoros archipelago, 5 Scattered Islands (îles Éparses), 5 in Mascarene, 11 in the Seychelles and 3 in the Chagos archipelago. In total, the mosquito list presents 73 valid species, of which 10 are Anophelinae and 63 Culicinae. The number of species that are distributed in these islands only is 19, i.e. 26%, which is a remarkable level for endemism. The richness in mosquito species in these islands is analysed through several aspects including geography, local speciation and natural or human dissemination. This updated inventory increases by 33% the number of known species by regard to the previous inventory published by Julvez & Mouchet in 1994. The historical responsibility of humans in the introduction of new mosquito species in these islands is strongly documented. For instance, the species with the highest distribution among islands are Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus. The islands belong to the afrotropical biogeographic area and, logically, the majority (63%) of mosquito species present phylogenetic affinities with continental Africa and/or Madagascar; interestingly, the number of species present in these islands and in Madagascar but absent in continental Africa is higher than the number of species present in these islands and in continental Africa but absent in Madagascar (respectively 12 and 2 species). Thanks to valuable increase in the sampling effort, our knowledge of the culicidian fauna is increasing in these islands that constitute indisputably hotspots of biodiversity.Résumé. La biodiversité des moustiques dans les îles du sud-ouest de l'océan Indien a fait l'objet de nombreuses publications. Nous proposons ici un inventaire des espèces et une analyse des peuplements, en se basant sur les données disponibles dans la littérature. Madagascar est exclu de cette étude car un inventaire des espèces de moustiques vient d'y être réalisé. La présente étude retient 28 îles tropicales de l'hémisphère sud : 4 îles dans l'archipel des Comores, 5 îles Éparses, 5 aux Mascareignes, 11 aux Seychelles et 3 dans l'archipel des Chagos. Au total, 73 espèces valides de moustiques ont été recensées, dont 10 Anophelinae et 63 Culicinae. Le nombre d'espèces exclusivement présentes dans ces îles est de 19, soit un remarquable endémisme concernant 26 % des espèces. La richesse spécifique est analysée sous plusieurs aspects incluant la géographie, la spéciation sur place, la dissémination des populations par des voies naturelles ou humaines. Le présent inventaire accroit de 33 % le nombre d'espèces connues par rapport à l'inventaire précédemment publié par Julvez & Mouchet en 1994

Viral encephalitis: a review of diagnostic methods and guidelines for management

Viral encephalitis is a medical emergency. The spectrum of brain involvement and the prognosis are dependent mainly on the specific pathogen and the immunological state of the host. Although specific therapy is limited to only several viral agents, correct immediate diagnosis and introduction of symptomatic and specific therapy has a dramatic influence upon survival and reduces the extent of permanent brain injury in survivors. We searched MEDLINE (National Library of Medicine) for relevant literature from 1966 to May 2004. Review articles and book chapters were also included. Recommendations are based on this literature based on our judgment of the relevance of the references to the subject. Recommendations were reached by consensus. Where there was lack of evidence but consensus was clear we have stated our opinion as good practice points. Diagnosis should be based on medical history, examination followed by analysis of cerebrospinal fluid for protein and glucose contents, cellular analysis and identification of the pathogen by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification (recommendation level A) and serology (recommendation level B). Neuroimaging, preferably by magnetic resonance imaging, is an essential aspect of evaluation (recommendation level B). Lumbar puncture can follow neuroimaging when immediately available, but if this cannot be obtained at the shortest span of time it should be delayed only in the presence of strict contraindications. Brain biopsy should be reserved only for unusual and diagnostically difficult cases. All encephalitis cases must be hospitalized with an access to intensive care units. Supportive therapy is an important basis of management. Specific, evidence-based, anti-viral therapy, acyclovir, is available for herpes encephalitis (recommendation level A). Acyclovir might also be effective for varicella-zoster virus encephalitis, gancyclovir and foscarnet for cytomegalovirus encephalitis and pleconaril for enterovirus encephalitis (IV class of evidence). Corticosteroids as an adjunct treatment for acute viral encephalitis are not generally considered to be effective and their use is controversial. Surgical decompression is indicated for impending uncal herniation or increased intracranial pressure refractory to medical management