Resveratrol Prevents Age-Related Memory and Mood Dysfunction with Increased Hippocampal Neurogenesis and Microvasculature, and Reduced Glial Activation

Greatly waned neurogenesis, diminished microvasculature, astrocyte hypertrophy and activated microglia are among the most conspicuous structural changes in the aged hippocampus. Because these alterations can contribute to age-related memory and mood impairments, strategies efficacious for mitigating these changes may preserve cognitive and mood function in old age. Resveratrol, a phytoalexin found in the skin of red grapes having angiogenic and antiinflammatory properties, appears ideal for easing these age-related changes. Hence, we examined the efficacy of resveratrol for counteracting age-related memory and mood impairments and the associated detrimental changes in the hippocampus. Two groups of male F344 rats in late middle-age having similar learning and memory abilities were chosen and treated with resveratrol or vehicle for four weeks. Analyses at ~25 months of age uncovered improved learning, memory and mood function in resveratrol-treated animals but impairments in vehicle-treated animals. Resveratrol-treated animals also displayed increased net neurogenesis and microvasculature, and diminished astrocyte hypertrophy and microglial activation in the hippocampus. These results provide novel evidence that resveratrol treatment in late middle age is efficacious for improving memory and mood function in old age. Modulation of the hippocampus plasticity and suppression of chronic low-level inflammation appear to underlie the functional benefits mediated by resveratrol

The Ninth Data Release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey: First Spectroscopic Data from the SDSS-III Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey III (SDSS-III) presents the first spectroscopic data from the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS). This ninth data release (DR9) of the SDSS project includes 535,995 new galaxy spectra (median z=0.52), 102,100 new quasar spectra (median z=2.32), and 90,897 new stellar spectra, along with the data presented in previous data releases. These spectra were obtained with the new BOSS spectrograph and were taken between 2009 December and 2011 July. In addition, the stellar parameters pipeline, which determines radial velocities, surface temperatures, surface gravities, and metallicities of stars, has been updated and refined with improvements in temperature estimates for stars with T_eff<5000 K and in metallicity estimates for stars with [Fe/H]>-0.5. DR9 includes new stellar parameters for all stars presented in DR8, including stars from SDSS-I and II, as well as those observed as part of the SDSS-III Sloan Extension for Galactic Understanding and Exploration-2 (SEGUE-2). The astrometry error introduced in the DR8 imaging catalogs has been corrected in the DR9 data products. The next data release for SDSS-III will be in Summer 2013, which will present the first data from the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) along with another year of data from BOSS, followed by the final SDSS-III data release in December 2014.Comment: 9 figures; 2 tables. Submitted to ApJS. DR9 is available at http://www.sdss3.org/dr

Medical Cannabis Induced Acute Pancreatitis and Hyperemesis Syndrome in a Patient with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Introduction: Medical cannabis is being utilized for intractable pain that is not well managed through conventional means. There are reports of cannabis induced hyperemesis syndrome and acute pancreatitis amongst recreational users inhaling cannabis, but not amongst medical users consuming cannabis orally. Patient Case: A 33-year old male with complex regional pain syndrome initiated 1 g of medical cannabis per day consisting of CBD (25 mg/mL) and tetrahydrocannabinol (300. Abdominal ultrasound and CT abdomen with contrast were negative. Serial lipase levels rose to >800. He stopped all cannabis products. Oral Haldol 0.5mg QID was initiated for hyperemesis after ondansetron failure. After 1 week CBD dominant oil was reintroduced at 1ml (25mg) QID for CRPS with no worsening of GI symptoms. After 2.5 weeks off THC hyperemesis dramatically improved, weight loss stabilized and lipase returned to baseline. Conclusion: Chronic oral administration of medical cannabis containing tetrahydrocannabinol resulted in acute pancreatitis and hyperemesis similar to individuals inhaling recreational cannabis. Patients and healthcare providers should be counselled on the rare but serious complications of medical cannabis induced pancreatitis

Study of MSMR retrieved data using map generation and representation methodology over Rajasthan, India

279-284The microwave radiometer MSMR (Multi-frequency Scanning Microwave Radiometer) data available in the months of June 1999-2001 have been studied. These data have been represented on the map of Rajasthan. The map has been generated using layered approach. The data available at 6.6 GHz for both horizontal and vertical polarization have been used for this study. The brightness temperature TB within 150 km diameter circle is displayed on the map of Rajasthan at the longitude and latitude obtained from the data set. The longitudes and latitudes are grouped in three zones A, B and C, depending on the geophysical parameters of the different sites

A method for calibration of space borne passive microwave sensors using a desert area

285-290A new method is suggested in this paper, for on-flight calibration of passive sensors, using a desert area, from satellite data obtained over a uniform terrain. The satellite data of OCEANSAT I MSMR payload operating at 6.6 GHz in both horizontal and vertical polarization and having look angle of 49.7 have been used for the present study

Mandatory pharmacist-led education session for patients seeking medical cannabis

Objective: The primary objectives of this pre-post session study, was to evaluate the impact of a pharmacist-led education session on the perceived benefits and safety of cannabis among patients with chronic pain, as well as determine the influence of pharmacist education on the selection of safer cannabis products and dosage forms for medical use among patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis of completed pre-post session questionnaires was conducted among chronic pain patients attending a mandatory education session led by a pharmacist, prior to being authorized cannabis in clinic. All questionnaire data was analyzed using SPSS v. 25. Demographic and sample characteristics were reviewed using univariate analyses. Chi-Square tests were employed to determine if the group-based education significantly affected knowledge, perception of efficacy and safety of cannabis. Results: Of the 260 session participants, 203 completed pre-post session questionnaires. After the session, a majority of current cannabis users (33.8%) and cannabis naïve/past users (56.9%) reported they would use a low THC product in the future, and a majority of current users (54.5%) would use a high CBD product in the future. After education, participants were more likely to report cannabis as having the potential for addiction (chi-square =42.6, p <0.0001) and harm (chi-square =34.0, p <0.0001). Conclusions: Pharmacist counselling and education has the potential to influence patient selection and use of cannabis, from more harmful to safer products, as well as moderate the potential perceived benefits of use

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in Duane retraction syndrome

Purpose: To study the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in Duane retraction syndrome (DRS). Materials and Methods: In this case–control study, 16 consecutive cases of Duane syndrome underwent MRI of the brain and orbit, after informed consent. MRI (fast imaging enhancing state acquisition) was done with special focus on pontomedullary junction to look for the status of abducens nerve and associated abnormalities along with quasi-coronal sections of orbit to estimate thickness and cross sectional area of horizontal extra-ocular muscles (EOMs). Thickness and cross-sectional area of EOMs were compared to the contralateral side and to age-matched controls. Results: Of 16 cases, 14 had DRS Type I, and 2 had DRS Type II. MRI revealed absent abducens nerve on the ipsilesional side in 12 out of 14 in DRS I, whereas two DRS II patients revealed intact abducens nerve on the affected side. Thickness and cross-sectional area of the horizontal recti was statistically comparable to the contralateral side and age-matched controls. Conclusions: All the DRS patients in study had structurally normal horizontal recti muscles, whereas 12 out of 14 of DRS-I patients had an absent abducens nerve on MRI

Detection of True Hybrids in Pearl Millet Cross Combinations by Employing SSR Molecular Markers

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L. R. Br.), a crucial staple food and significant cereal crop, is gaining prominence due to its versatile applications as feed, food, and fodder. Heterosis of this crop has been extensively harnessed to increase productivity. Hybrid variants exhibit superior grain and stover yields compared to open-pollinated varieties.Top of Form The primary aim of this investigation was to evaluate and confirm authentic hybrids within three resultant F1 progenies. The assessment of parents and F1 hybrids was carried out during the Kharif 2021for the purpose of accurate discrimination and rapid verification of true hybrids by employing 20 SSR molecular markers. The experimental materials consisted of three distinct cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines including ICMA 843-22, ICMA 04999, and ICMA 02333, used as female parents along with three fertility restorers, viz., ICMR 01004, ICMR 20233, and ICMR 20342, were utilized as male parents. The analysis of SSR profiles was based on distinctive banding patterns, resulting in unique profiles for the hybrids. The amplified fragment sizes ranged between 90 to 300 base pairs (bp), effectively enabling the differentiation of authentic hybrids. Within the specific crosses, the percentage of polymorphism was determined 75% for the cross ICMA 843-22 × ICMR 01004, 80% for the cross combination&nbsp; ICMA 04999 × ICMR 20233, and 75% for the cross ICMA 02333 × ICMR 20342. The true hybrids were calculated using hybrid purity percentage formula using heterozygous banding patten among total plants evaluated. Among a total of 100 F1 plants, 85, 86, and 88 plants were accurately identified as true hybrids in the respective crosses i.e., ICMA 843-22 × ICMR 01004, ICMA 04999 × ICMR 20233, and ICMA 02333 × ICMR 20342. The identified markers hold significant potential for applications such as hybridity test, genetic purity assessments, diverse germplasm identification, and DNA fingerprinting endeavors in future

Evaluation of the preclinical analgesic efficacy of naturally derived, orally administered oil forms of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and their 1:1 combination.

Chronic neuropathic pain (NP) is a growing clinical problem for which effective treatments, aside from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids, are lacking. Cannabinoids are emerging as potentially promising agents to manage neuroimmune effects associated with nociception. In particular, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and their combination are being considered as therapeutic alternatives for treatment of NP. This study aimed to examine whether sex affects long-term outcomes on persistent mechanical hypersensitivity 7 weeks after ceasing cannabinoid administration. Clinically relevant low doses of THC, CBD, and a 1:1 combination of THC:CBD extracts, in medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, were orally gavaged for 14 consecutive days to age-matched groups of male and female sexually mature Sprague Dawley rats. Treatments commenced one day after surgically inducing a pro-nociceptive state using a peripheral sciatic nerve cuff. The analgesic efficacy of each phytocannabinoid was assessed relative to MCT oil using hind paw mechanical behavioural testing once a week for 9 weeks. In vivo intracellular electrophysiology was recorded at endpoint to characterize soma threshold changes in primary afferent sensory neurons within dorsal root ganglia (DRG) innervated by the affected sciatic nerve. The thymus, spleen, and DRG were collected post-sacrifice and analyzed for long-term effects on markers associated with T lymphocytes at the RNA level using qPCR. Administration of cannabinoids, particularly the 1:1 combination of THC, elicited a sustained mechanical anti-hypersensitive effect in males with persistent peripheral NP, which corresponded to beneficial changes in myelinated Aβ mechanoreceptive fibers. Specific immune cell markers associated with T cell differentiation and pro-inflammatory cytokines, previously implicated in repair processes, were differentially up-regulated by cannabinoids in males treated with cannabinoids, but not in females, warranting further investigation into sexual dimorphisms that may underlie treatment outcomes

The ninth data release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey : first spectroscopic data from the SDSS-III Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey III (SDSS-III) presents the first spectroscopic data from the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS). This ninth data release (DR9) of the SDSS project includes 535,995 new galaxy spectra (median z ∼ 0.52), 102,100 new quasar spectra (median z ∼ 2.32), and 90,897 new stellar spectra, along with the data presented in previous data releases. These spectra were obtained with the new BOSS spectrograph and were taken between 2009 December and 2011 July. In addition, the stellar parameters pipeline, which determines radial velocities, surface temperatures, surface gravities, and metallicities of stars, has been updated and refined with improvements in temperature estimates for stars with Teff −0.5. DR9 includes new stellar parameters for all stars presented in DR8, including stars from SDSS-I and II, as well as those observed as part of the SEGUE-2. The astrometry error introduced in the DR8 imaging catalogs has been corrected in the DR9 data products. The next data release for SDSS-III will be in Summer 2013, which will present the first data from the APOGEE along with another year of data from BOSS, followed by the final SDSS-III data release in 2014 December