Design and Creation of a Device to Induce Vergence Eye Movements

Automated eye-tracking systems can detect and analyze eye movements as a means to accurately diagnose more than 20 neurological diseases including mild traumatic brain injury. Mild traumatic brain injury is an occurrence of injury to the head resulting from blunt trauma or from acceleration or deceleration forces. Eye movement refers to the voluntary or involuntary movement of the eyes, helping in acquiring, fixating and tracking visual stimuli. There are three types of voluntary eye movement to track objects: smooth pursuit, vergence shifts and saccades. Vergence shifts are eye movements where the eyes move in opposite directions: moving to the midline in convergence or moving away in divergence. This project focused on creating a device to induce vergence eye movements via a laser source and a mirror galvanometer. The laser pointer is directed at the mirror galvanometer which then projects the laser point onto a screen that lies horizontally in front of the observer. As the laser dot moves back and forth from the viewer, the eyes converge as the dot moves toward the viewer and diverge as the dot moves away. The device will be used to develop a baseline of control data that can eventually be used to diagnose mild traumatic brain injury. Different eye trackers will be tested to determine the optimum technique for gathering vergence eye movement data.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/uresposters/1192/thumbnail.jp

Patterned feeding experience for preterm infants: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background Neurobehavioral disabilities occur in 5–15 % of preterm infants with an estimated 50–70 % of very low birth weight preterm infants experiencing later dysfunction, including cognitive, behavioral, and social delays that often persist into adulthood. Factors implicated in poor neurobehavioral and developmental outcomes are hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and inconsistent caregiving patterns. Although much underlying brain damage occurs in utero or shortly after birth, neuroprotective strategies can stop lesions from progressing, particularly when these strategies are used during the most sensitive periods of neural plasticity occurring months before term age. The purpose of this randomized trial is to test the effect of a patterned feeding experience on preterm infants’ neurobehavioral organization and development, cognitive function, and clinical outcomes. Methods This trial uses an experimental, longitudinal, 2-group design with 120 preterm infants. Infants are enrolled within the first week of life and randomized to an experimental group receiving a patterned feeding experience from the first gavage feeding through discharge or to a control group receiving usual feeding care experience. The intervention involves a continuity of tactile experiences associated with feeding to train and build neuronal networks supportive of normal infant feeding experience. Primary outcomes are neurobehavioral organization as measured by Neurobehavioral Assessment of the Preterm Infant at 3 time points: the transition to oral feedings, NICU discharge, and 2 months corrected age. Secondary aims are cognitive function measured using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition at 6 months corrected age, neurobehavioral development (sucking organization, feeding performance, and heart rate variability), and clinical outcomes (length of NICU stay and time to full oral feeding). The potential effects of demographic and biobehavioral factors (perinatal events and conditions of maternal or fetal/newborn origin and immunologic and genetic biomarkers) on the outcome variables will also be considered. Discussion Theoretically, the intervention provided at a critical time in neurologic system development and associated with a recurring event (feeding) should enhance neural connections that may be important for later development, particularly language and other cognitive and neurobehavioral organization skills

Differential Eye Movements in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury vs. Normal Controls

Objective measures to diagnose and to monitor improvement of symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) are lacking. Computerized eye tracking has been advocated as a rapid, user friendly and field ready technique to meet this need. Eye tracking data collected via a head mounted, video-based binocular eye tracker was used to examine saccades, fixations and smooth pursuit movement in 60 military Service Members with post concussive syndrome (PCS) and 26 asymptomatic control subjects in an effort to determine if eye movement differences could be found and quantified. The diagnosis of mTBI was confirmed by the study physiatrist’s history, physical examination, and a review of any medical records. Results demonstrated that subjects with symptomatic mTBI had statistically larger position errors, smaller saccadic amplitudes, smaller predicted peak velocities, smaller peak accelerations, and longer durations. Subjects with symptomatic mTBI were also less likely to follow a target movement (less primary saccades). In general, symptomatic mTBI tracked the stepwise moving targets less accurately, revealing possible brain dysfunction. A reliable, standardized protocol that appears to differentiate mTBI from normals was developed for use in future research. This investigation represents a step toward objective identification of those with PCS. Future studies focused on increasing the specificity of eye movement differences in those with PCS are needed

Effects of hyperbaric oxygen on eye tracking abnormalities in males after mild traumatic brain injury

The effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) on eye movement abnormalities in 60 military servicemembers with at least one mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) from combat were examined in a single-center, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, prospective study at the Naval Medicine Operational Training Center. During the 10 wk of the study, each subject was delivered a series of 40, once a day, hyperbaric chamber compressions at a pressure of 2.0 atmospheres absolute (ATA). At each session, subjects breathed one of three preassigned oxygen fractions (10.5%, 75%, or 100%) for 1 h, resulting in an oxygen exposure equivalent to breathing either surface air, 100% oxygen at 1.5 ATA, or 100% oxygen at 2.0 ATA, respectively. Using a standardized, validated, computerized eye tracking protocol, fixation, saccades, and smooth pursuit eye movements were measured just prior to intervention and immediately postintervention. Between- and within-groups testing of pre- and postintervention means revealed no significant differences on eye movement abnormalities and no significant main effect for HBO2 at either 1.5 ATA or 2.0 ATA equivalent compared with the sham-control. This study demonstrated that neither 1.5 nor 2.0 ATA equivalent HBO2 had an effect on postconcussive eye movement abnormalities after mTBI when compared with a sham-control

Serotype-specific differences in inhibition of reovirus infectivity by human-milk glycans are determined by viral attachment protein σ1

AbstractHuman milk contains many bioactive components, including secretory IgA, oligosaccharides, and milk-associated proteins. We assessed the antiviral effects of several components of milk against mammalian reoviruses. We found that glucocerebroside (GCB) inhibited the infectivity of reovirus strain type 1 Lang (T1L), whereas gangliosides GD3 and GM3 and 3′-sialyllactose (3SL) inhibited the infectivity of reovirus strain type 3 Dearing (T3D). Agglutination of erythrocytes mediated by T1L and T3D was inhibited by GD3, GM3, and bovine lactoferrin. Additionally, α-sialic acid, 3SL, 6′-sialyllactose, sialic acid, human lactoferrin, osteopontin, and α-lactalbumin inhibited hemagglutination mediated by T3D. Using single-gene reassortant viruses, we found that serotype-specific differences segregate with the gene encoding the viral attachment protein. Furthermore, GD3, GM3, and 3SL inhibit T3D infectivity by blocking binding to host cells, whereas GCB inhibits T1L infectivity post-attachment. These results enhance an understanding of reovirus cell attachment and define a mechanism for the antimicrobial activity of human milk

Elevated CO 2 alters leaf-litter-derived dissolved organic carbon: effects on stream periphyton and crayfish feeding preference

Elevated atmospheric CO2 increases plant C fixation, and much of the soluble C content of deciduous leaf litter entering streams is leached as dissolved organic C (DOC). The effects of DOC from trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michaux) leaf litter grown under elevated (ELEV ! 720 ppm) and ambient (AMB! 360 ppm) CO2 on stream periphyton were measured during a 35-d experiment in outdoor artificial stream chambers. Crayfish feeding preferences for periphyton grown in AMB and ELEV treatments were evaluated in short-term foraging trials using a Y-maze. Periphyton was sampled through time for ash- free dry mass (AFDM), chlorophyll a, total C:N, algal biovolume and species composition, and bacterial productivity and biomass. Leaf litter from plants grown under ELEV CO2 produced higher concentrations of refractory DOC than did leaf litter from plants grown under AMB CO2, and chlorophyll a concentrations were lower in periphyton enriched with ELEV DOC than in periphyton enriched with AMB DOC. ELEV DOC did not significantly affect bacterial productivity and biomass or total periphyton C:N, but cyanobacterial biovolume was higher in ELEValgal assemblages than in AMB algal assemblages after 35 d. AMB algal assemblages were dominated by the diatom Epithemia adnata var. proboscidea, which contains N- fixing endosymbionts. Orconectes virilis crayfish preferred AMB periphyton stimulus when offered the choice of AMB and ELEV stimuli or AMB and control stimuli. Our results suggest that DOC from trembling aspen leaf litter produced under ELEV CO2 alters algal accrual and species assemblages of stream periphyton, and this shift in basal resource quantity and quality could affect feeding preferences of crayfish

The Ursinus Weekly, March 12, 1951

Curtain Club groups to give plays on April 3 • Edna Millay\u27s poetry read at lit meeting • Ursinus on TV Saturday • Club to visit Seminary • Pageant planned • Forum to feature newspaper writer at March 14 session • Physiotherapist, dental school head to address Pre-med society • Speak Easy hailed as milestone in Ursinus theater work • Fraternities, sororities send out bids as Spring rushing period begins today • MSGA discusses election system • Final tryouts for Spring play to be held Wednesday, Thursday • Livingston gives illustrated talk to large crowd • Dr. Yost at Princeton on busman\u27s holiday • Bloodmobile to re-visit • Chess Club ties • Lantern selects material • Editorial: Story of a letter • Book reviewed • Organ was installed in 1916 as memoriam to C. H. Clark • Smokers warned of moocher\u27s smooth line; Inveterate victim lists defense tactics • IRC-PAC poll gives student views on foreign policy • Mr. Morrison invents zipped turkey; Facilitates the filling of the fowl • Library adds books by American authors • Major Bowen advocates aid to Chiang, says nationalists now ready and able • Dave Reice elected basketball captain • Christensen ends managerial career; Fisher carries on • Garnet downs Delaware to capture league title • Belles gain fifth victory as Vadner scores twenty • Ursinus swimmers beat Beaver mermaids, 34-23 • Fischer and Lintner elected to guide Bruins on grid during \u2751-\u2752 campaign • Baseball squad enters 2nd week of practice • Brodbeck teams lead men\u27s intramural loop • Schedules listed for track, tennis • Seven wrestlers lost by graduation; Basketball squad loses four regulars • Badminton team splits with Drexel, Bryn Mawrhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1562/thumbnail.jp

The Ursinus Weekly, December 4, 1950

Gillespie to play at Friday night senior formal • Men students cast 107-71 vote against dorm amendment • Music organizations to present Messiah in Bomberger chapel Thursday night • Y Commissions to meet; PAC plans Xmas party • Response to WSSF is disappointing; Receipts total $350 • Critic hails Angel Street as vehicle for superb thespian dramatic acting • Hungarian to address Tuesday night Forum • Twelve to become Rosicrucians • Yule traditions dominate ensuing campus activities • Bloodmobile to be at Trinity church Thursday morning • 26 are accepted by local chapter of Pi Gamma Mu • Cafe Pigalle to return to gym Saturday night • Mary MacPherson chosen May Queen; Marge Paynter named pageant manager • Editorial: Dynamic force • WSGA notes • Delta Pi Sigma welcomes ten off-campus men • English Club admits members • Revived rec center attracts many • 45 future teachers approach termination of tribulation • IRC hears attorney speak on problems of western nations • Ruby schedules photos, pushes subscriptions • Pigskin parade • Bears top textile 64-50 in court season inaugural • Six close careers on soccer squad • Derr deadlocks Albright 6-6 • Four senior girls play hockey finale • Grid player scans all-state selections • Ursinus grid aggregation suffers loss of twelve graduating upper classmen • Penn triumphs 3-1 over Ursinus girls • Reid Watson became football manager when injury benched former grid star • Messiah reputation stems from mastery of simple techniques • Eight teams compete in debate tournament • Chess team loses • Kershner does dialect in fourth lit readinghttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1554/thumbnail.jp

The Ursinus Weekly, November 13, 1950

Fraternities fete, bid men during week of rushing • First movies of year, Little Men, Great Guns, to be shown on Friday • Debaters to oppose Swarthmore varsity • Lantern asks students for Fall issue material • Herbsleb to address IRC Tuesday on international law topic • Chi Alpha to meet Tuesday • 51\u27ers assume commercial name • Smith tells Forum of status of Britain in trade, economy • Ruby launches campaigns for photography and selling • Student authored, produced Dusty Halo receives plaudits • YM-YW conducts WSSF and toy-clothing drives • Harris stresses need of developing maturity in religious matters • Dorm at 724 Main wins spirit trophy • Sophs to send gift to injured classmate • Big Sisters hold party • Editorials: Case against apathy; Challenge to our intellect • Class idiosyncrasies bared • Scribe pens WSGA notes • Drum majorettes use many maneuvers, combine long experience and ingenuity • Committee heads announced for Curtain Club Fall production • MSGA to cut mealtime announcements, substitute rebuilt outdoor bulletin board • Newman Club holds banquet • Beaver falls 3-2 to hockey squad; Boyd paces team • Jay-Vees triumph 6-1 over Beaver JV squad • Bruins to oppose Crusaders eleven at Selinsgrove • Grizzlies bow 3-0 to Lehigh booters • Undefeated Derr cops intramural grid title • Panthers build early lead to conquer Bruins 13-6 • St. Joseph\u27s takes cross-country meet • Cheer and comfort for the weary, tale of mid-semester\u27s evil birth • Weekly sports poll reveals majority wants powerhouse intercollegiate teamhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1552/thumbnail.jp

p73 Regulates Neurodegeneration and Phospho-Tau Accumulation during Aging and Alzheimer's Disease

SummaryThe genetic mechanisms that regulate neurodegeneration are only poorly understood. We show that the loss of one allele of the p53 family member, p73, makes mice susceptible to neurodegeneration as a consequence of aging or Alzheimer's disease (AD). Behavioral analyses demonstrated that old, but not young, p73+/− mice displayed reduced motor and cognitive function, CNS atrophy, and neuronal degeneration. Unexpectedly, brains of aged p73+/− mice demonstrated dramatic accumulations of phospho-tau (P-tau)-positive filaments. Moreover, when crossed to a mouse model of AD expressing a mutant amyloid precursor protein, brains of these mice showed neuronal degeneration and early and robust formation of tangle-like structures containing P-tau. The increase in P-tau was likely mediated by JNK; in p73+/− neurons, the activity of the p73 target JNK was enhanced, and JNK regulated P-tau levels. Thus, p73 is essential for preventing neurodegeneration, and haploinsufficiency for p73 may be a susceptibility factor for AD and other neurodegenerative disorders