Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex: A Possible Target for Modulating Dyskinesias in Parkinson's Disease by Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

We studied whether five sessions of 10 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS treatment) applied over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) or the primary motor cortex (MC) in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) patients would have any effect on L-dopa-induced dyskinesias and cortical excitability. We aimed at a randomised, controlled study. Single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation, and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS parts III and IV) were performed prior to, immediately after, and one week after an appropriate rTMS treatment. Stimulation of the left DLPFC induced a significant motor cortex depression and a trend towards the improvement of L-dopa-induced dyskinesias

Nanotextured Si Surfaces Derived From Block-copolymer Self-assembly With Superhydrophobic, Superhydrophilic, or Superamphiphobic Properties

We demonstrate the use of wafer-scale nanolithography based on block-copolymer (BCP) self-assembly for the fabrication of surfaces with enhanced wetting properties. All classes of wetting behaviour derived from the same BCP nanolithography step are demonstrated. An in situ etch mask is defined by self-assembly of polystyrene (PS) and dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) domains to form a predominantly hexagonal array with pitch size (72 ± 3) nm. The subsequent branched processing scheme, exclusively employing dry chemistry and reactive ion etching (RIE), allows the fabrication of nanoholes, nanopillars, or high aspect ratio nano-hoodoo features (overhang profile structures) with a diameter below 100 nm. The surfaces are finally functionalized with either hydrophobic surface chemistry by self-assembly from the precursor perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane (FDTS), or hydrophilic surface chemistry obtained by oxygen plasma treatment. The different texture and surface chemistry configurations are characterized with respect to their wetting properties with water, alkanes and organic oils. While, both nano-pillar and nano-hole surfaces feature excellent superhydrophobic properties with water contact angles (WCAs) exceeding 170° and roll-off angles below 5°, only the nano-pillar surfaces exhibit convincing superhydrophilicity with WCAs below 5°. The repellency of low surface tension liquids known as amphiphobicity is demonstrated for the nano-hoodoo surfaces

Assessment of microscale variation of heavy metal pollution of the Bystrzyca river alluvia downstream from Lublin

Fluvial sediments accumulated in the bottoms of river valleys downstream from large cities are characterised by higher levels of heavy metal content, which poses a threat to the environment and humans. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the degree of pollution of four alluvial sediment profiles (80 samples), collected from the bottom of the Bystrzyca river valley downstream from Lublin, conducted with the use of five geochemical indices. Channel deposits and sediments (alluvial soils) sampled from the floodplain were analysed. The content levels of the six heavy metals under study were as follows: Cd: 10.6–291.2 mg/kg, Cr: 53.1–292.4 mg/kg, Cu: 20.4–223.1 mg/kg, Ni: 2.9–19.3, Pb: 39.3–280.3, Zn: 108.9–991.4 mg/kg. The horizontal and vertical variation of the pollution level was linked with the history of anthropogenic pressure on the one hand, and the geomorphological location of a given profile on the other. Heavy metal content in the samples did not show any correlation with grain size composition, organic matter content, and Fe and Mn content. Cadmium was the element whose concentration levels were comparable with those in alluvial sediments of rivers in industrialised areas while the indices for the other metals showed varied levels of pollution: from low to high. However, the ecological risk is high for all samples as indicated by the synthetic potential ecological risk index, which takes into account the toxicity of all the metals under study