Synthesis, structure characterization, Hirshfeld surface analysis, and computational studies of 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO):acridine

To modify the physical features and extend applications of the 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO), we synthesized NTO with acridine (ACR) at a molar ratio of 1:1, a neutralization reaction. Through altering the chemical composition, it was possible to alter physical properties such as thermal stability, free space (voids), packing coefficient, crystal density, difference in pKa of co-formers, morphology, solubility, and impact sensitivity, and detonation parameters . It appears that physical attributes could be entirely altered. Single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction methods, infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR and 13C-NMR), and thermal analysis were utilized to comprehensively characterize and confirm the formation of the structure of NTO:ACR. The substantial hydrogen bond interactions and planar layered structures observed between the cations and anions generated a complex 3D network, providing insight into the structure–property interrelationship. One intriguing feature discovered is the layered structure present in NTO:ACR, which may be responsible for the low impact sensitivity. According to the experimental results, NTO:ACR showed good thermal stability (Td = 229 °C) and outstanding impact sensitivity (IS = 100 J). Detonation velocity and pressure were calculated using the EXPLO5 software program and found to be 7006 m·s−1 and 20.02 GPa, respectively.This study was funded by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye-TUBITAK-BIDEB 2219-International Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program (Grant number:1059B192100006)

Feedforward and feedback pathways of nociceptive and tactile processing in human somatosensory system: A study of dynamic causal modeling of fMRI data

Nociceptive and tactile information is processed in the somatosensory system via reciprocal (i.e., feedforward and feedback) projections between the thalamus, the primary (S1) and secondary (S2) somatosensory cortices. The exact hierarchy of nociceptive and tactile information processing within this ‘thalamus-S1-S2’ network and whether the processing hierarchy differs between the two somatosensory submodalities remains unclear. In particular, two questions related to the ascending and descending pathways have not been addressed. For the ascending pathways, whether tactile or nociceptive information is processed in parallel (i.e., 'thalamus-S1′ and 'thalamus-S2′) or in serial (i.e., 'thalamus-S1-S2′) remains controversial. For the descending pathways, how corticothalamic feedback regulates nociceptive and tactile processing also remains elusive. Here, we aimed to investigate the hierarchical organization for the processing of nociceptive and tactile information in the ‘thalamus-S1-S2’ network using dynamic causal modeling (DCM) combined with high-temporal-resolution fMRI. We found that, for both nociceptive and tactile information processing, both S1 and S2 received inputs from thalamus, indicating a parallel structure of ascending pathways for nociceptive and tactile information processing. Furthermore, we observed distinct corticothalamic feedback regulations from S1 and S2, showing that S1 generally exerts inhibitory feedback regulation independent of external stimulation whereas S2 provides additional inhibition to the thalamic activity during nociceptive and tactile information processing in humans. These findings revealed that nociceptive and tactile information processing have similar hierarchical organization within the somatosensory system in the human brain

Phylotranscriptomic insights into the diversification of endothermic Thunnus tunas

Birds, mammals, and certain fishes, including tunas, opahs and lamnid sharks, are endothermic, conserving internally generated, metabolic heat to maintain body or tissue temperatures above that of the environment. Bluefin tunas are commercially important fishes worldwide, and some populations are threatened. They are renowned for their endothermy, maintaining elevated temperatures of the oxidative locomotor muscle, viscera, brain and eyes, and occupying cold, productive high-latitude waters. Less cold-tolerant tunas, such as yellowfin tuna, by contrast, remain in warm-temperate to tropical waters year-round, reproducing more rapidly than most temperate bluefin tuna populations, providing resiliency in the face of large-scale industrial fisheries. Despite the importance of these traits to not only fisheries but also habitat utilization and responses to climate change, little is known of the genetic processes underlying the diversification of tunas. In collecting and analyzing sequence data across 29,556 genes, we found that parallel selection on standing genetic variation is associated with the evolution of endothermy in bluefin tunas. This includes two shared substitutions in genes encoding glycerol-3 phosphate dehydrogenase, an enzyme that contributes to thermogenesis in bumblebees and mammals, as well as four genes involved in the Krebs cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, β-oxidation, and superoxide removal. Using phylogenetic techniques, we further illustrate that the eight Thunnus species are genetically distinct, but found evidence of mitochondrial genome introgression across two species. Phylogeny-based metrics highlight conservation needs for some of these species

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) physiotherapy management: a cohort, observational, prospective, longitudinal study across the South Island of New Zealand

Physiotherapy management for CRPS is considered to be essential. However, there is a lack of validated evidence-based treatments. There is controversy between what treatment methods are safe or effective. Physiotherapy outcomes and interventions for patients with CRPS, referred to all outpatient clinics across the South Island of New Zealand, were evaluated. The aim of this project was to determine with an observational, longitudinal study the following: a) to measure patient outcomes and changes over time/natural history for one year after commencing physiotherapy; b) to document and categorise the standard physiotherapy interventional methods received; c) to identify predictors of patient outcomes; d) to investigate the efficacy of the current physiotherapy intervention for CRPS, and (d) to suggest a conceptual clinical model for the physiotherapy management of CRPS. Informed written consent from participants was obtained. Demographic data were collected as follows: the duration of time following injury to CRPS diagnosis and to the commencement of physiotherapy; age; gender; laterality affected; inciting injury; region; work status; ethnicity. Medical and psychological care were also documented. Pre and post outcome measures were measured at 6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year after commencing physiotherapy interventions by an independent telephonic interviewer. The following outcome measures were applied: (a) Pain intensity was measured using the Short form McGill Pain Questionnaire and an 11-point numerical rating scale; (b) functional ability was assessed using the 11-item Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (for those with CRPS of the upper limb), and the 23-item Foot Function Index for those with CRPS of the lower limb; (c) quality of life associated with disability was assessed using the 12-item World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 which was chosen as appropriate for both upper and lower extremities; (d) satisfaction of care was measured with the 9-item Deyo and Diehl Satisfaction Questionnaire. Potential predictors were administered once to indicate possible influences on the outcomes. These were the Health Anxiety Index, the Extraversion and Neuroticism scale of the brief-version Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, the Tampa scale for Kinesiophobia, and the 10-item psychological distress Kessler questionnaires. Seventy five participants signed consent to participate between December 2013 and 2018. Nine did not meet inclusion criteria. Fifty-two females and 14 males participated with ages ranging from 11 to 77 years (mean 46 years); New Zealand Europeans predominate as ethnic group; 57 (86%) had a CRPS Type 1 and 9 (14%) had a CRPS Type 2 diagnosis; fractures were the inciting event for 28 (42%) followed by soft tissue injury 24 (36%) and surgery 14 (21%), respectively. Statistical analysis used standard descriptive statistics: student-t tests to compare pre and post outcome measures; Mann Whitney U tests to determine baseline differences between the categorical or continuous predictor variables, and logistic regression analysis to determine predictive effects of continuous or categorical variables with a power of 0.8 and alpha of 0.05. Effect sizes with logistic regression were strictly determined with confidence intervals not equal to 1. Spearman correlation co-efficients were used with the suggested conceptual model. Results showed all participants had significant improvement; 24 (45%) participants made a complete recovery within one year following commencement of physiotherapy. No specific physiotherapy intervention significantly influenced recovery. Full recovery was correlated with the extraversion personality measure and the concurrent prescription of anticonvulsant analgesia. These findings suggest that the novel factor of personality extraversion warrants further investigation. A proposal was suggested towards a conceptual clinical model for the physiotherapy management of CRPS

Potential Risk Factors for the Onset of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1: A Systematic Literature Review

Anaesthetists in the acute and chronic pain teams are often involved in treating Complex Regional Pain Syndromes. Current literature about the risk factors for the onset of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1 (CRPS 1) remains sparse. This syndrome has a low prevalence, a highly variable presentation, and no gold standard for diagnosis. In the research setting, the pathogenesis of the syndrome continues to be elusive. There is a growing body of literature that addresses efficacy of a wide range of interventions as well as the likely mechanisms that contribute to the onset of CRPS 1. The objective for this systematic search of the literature focuses on determining the potential risk factors for the onset of CRPS 1. Eligible articles were analysed, dated 1996 to April 2014, and potential risk factors for the onset of CRPS 1 were identified from 10 prospective and 6 retrospective studies. Potential risk factors for the onset of CRPS 1 were found to include being female, particularly postmenopausal female, ankle dislocation or intra-articular fracture, immobilisation, and a report of higher than usual levels of pain in the early phases of trauma. It is not possible to draw definite conclusions as this evidence is heterogeneous and of mixed quality, relevance, and weighting strength against bias and has not been confirmed across multiple trials or in homogenous studies

Potential Risk Factors for the Onset of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1: A Systematic Literature Review

Anaesthetists in the acute and chronic pain teams are often involved in treating Complex Regional Pain Syndromes. Current literature about the risk factors for the onset of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1 (CRPS 1) remains sparse. This syndrome has a low prevalence, a highly variable presentation, and no gold standard for diagnosis. In the research setting, the pathogenesis of the syndrome continues to be elusive. There is a growing body of literature that addresses efficacy of a wide range of interventions as well as the likely mechanisms that contribute to the onset of CRPS 1. The objective for this systematic search of the literature focuses on determining the potential risk factors for the onset of CRPS 1. Eligible articles were analysed, dated 1996 to April 2014, and potential risk factors for the onset of CRPS 1 were identified from 10 prospective and 6 retrospective studies. Potential risk factors for the onset of CRPS 1 were found to include being female, particularly postmenopausal female, ankle dislocation or intraarticular fracture, immobilisation, and a report of higher than usual levels of pain in the early phases of trauma. It is not possible to draw definite conclusions as this evidence is heterogeneous and of mixed quality, relevance, and weighting strength against bias and has not been confirmed across multiple trials or in homogenous studies

FTLD/ALS-linked TDP-43 mutations do not alter TDP-43’s ability to self-regulate its expression in Drosophila

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