THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SIGNAL ANALYSIS IN JAVA TO DETERMINE THE SOUND OF HUMAN VOICE AND GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION IN STANDARD MUSIC NOTATION

The article presents an analysis of the problems associated with signals processing, with special emphasis on the analysis of the problems of the human voice analysis. Based on the specific implementation of algorithms mark the human voice pitch, paper is showing the result in the form of standard music notation with treble and bass keys one the stave. The paper pays particular attention to the performance of the algorithms used for their implementation in Java. The same analysisof the signals is not a challenge, but with regard to the implementation on mobile devices like smarfones, the use of Java at the same time with limited hardware resources remains a challenge. This applies to both the CPU and the memory which affects the processing speed using the Java virtual machine. It should be remebered not to skip a quality of microphone used in this type of mobile device. From this point of view presented considerations are a new approach to the well-knownproblem of signal analysis implemented in computer applications such as Raven

Morphine effects on striatal transcriptome in mice

Global transcriptional analysis of mouse striata following acute and chronic exposure to morphine reveals multiple physiological factors which may affect opioid-related phenotypes and implicates a number of gene networks, including glucocorticoid receptor regulated genes, in the response to this opioid

Insufficiency of ventral hippocampus to medial prefrontal cortex transmission explains antidepressant non-response

Bibliogr. s. 1261-1264Background: There is extensive evidence that antidepressant drugs restore normal brain function by repairing damage to ventral hippocampus (vHPC) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). While the damage is more extensive in hippocampus, the evidence of treatments, such as deep brain stimulation, suggests that functional changes in prefrontal cortex may be more critical. We hypothesized that antidepressant non-response may result from an insufficiency of transmission from vHPC to mPFC. Method: Antidepressant non-responsive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were subjected to chronic mild stress (CMS), then treated with chronic daily administration of the antidepressant drug venlafaxine (VEN) and/or repeated weekly optogenetic stimulation (OGS) of afferents to mPFC originating from vHPC or dorsal HPC (dHPC). Results: As in many previous studies, CMS decreased sucrose intake, open-arm entries on the elevated plus maze (EPM), and novel object recognition (NOR). Neither VEN nor vHPC–mPFC OGS alone was effective in reversing the effects of CMS, but the combination of chronic VEN and repeated OGS restored normal behaviour on all three measures. dHPC–mPFC OGS restored normal behaviour in the EPM and NOR test irrespective of concomitant VEN treatment, and had no effect on sucrose intake. Conclusions: The synergism between VEN and vHPC–mPFC OGS supports the hypothesis that the antidepressant non-responsiveness of WKY rats results from a failure of antidepressant treatment fully to restore transmission in the vHPC–mPFC pathway

AMPA receptors mediate the pro-cognitive effects of electrical and optogenetic stimulation of the medial prefrontal cortex in antidepressant non-responsive Wistar-Kyoto rats

Background: The chronic mild stress (CMS) procedure is a widely used animal model of depression, and its application in Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) rats has been validated as a model of antidepressant-refractory depression. While not responding to chronic treatment with antidepressant drugs, WKY rats do respond to acute deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). In antidepressant-responsive strains there is evidence suggesting a role for AMPA subtype of glutamate receptor in the action mechanism of both antidepressants and DBS. Methods: Animals were subjected to CMS for 6 to 8weeks; sucrose intake was monitored weekly and novel object recognition (NOR) test was conducted following recovery from CMS. Wistars were treated chronically with venlafaxine (VEN), while WKY were treated acutely with either DBS, optogenetic stimulation (OGS) of virally-transduced (AAV5-hSyn-ChR2-EYFP) mPFC or ventral hippocampus, or acute intra-mPFC injection of the AMPA receptor positive allosteric modulator CX-516. The AMPA receptor antagonist NBQX was administered, at identical sites in mPFC, immediately following the exposure trial in the NOR. Results: Sucrose intake and NOR were suppressed by CMS, and restored by VEN in Wistars and by DBS, OGS, or CX-516 in WKY. However, OGS of the ventral hippocampal afferents to mPFC was ineffective. A low dose of NBQX selectively blocked the procognitive effect of VEN, DBS and OGS. Conclusions: These results suggest that activation of AMPA receptors in the mPFC represents a common pathway for the antidepressant effects of both conventional (VEN) and novel (DBS, OGS) antidepressant modalities, in both antidepressant responsive (Wistar) and antidepressant-resistant (WKY) rats

Functional characterization of a novel opioid, PZM21, and its influence on behavioural responses to morphine

The concept of opioid ligands biased toward the G protein pathway with minimal recruitment of β-arrestin-2 has become a promising approach for the development of novel, efficient and potentially nonaddictive opioid therapeutics. A recently discovered biased μ-opioid receptor agonist, PZM21, was reported to be analgesic and possess reduced side effects. Here, we aimed to further investigate the behavioural and biochemical properties of PZM21.We evaluated antinociceptive effects of systemic and intrathecal PZM21 administration. Its addiction-like properties were determined using several behavioural approaches: conditioned place preference, locomotor sensitization, precipitated withdrawal and self-administration. Further, we assessed the influence of PZM21 on morphine-induced antinociception, tolerance and reward. Effects of PZM21 on striatal release of monoamines were evaluated using brain microdialysis.PZM21 caused long-lasting dose-dependent antinociception. It did not induce reward- and reinforcement-related behaviour, however, its repeated administration led to antinociceptive tolerance and naloxone-precipitated withdrawal symptoms. Pretreatment with PZM21 enhanced morphine-induced antinociception and attenuated the expression of morphine reward. In comparison to morphine, PZM21 administration led to moderate release of dopamine and robust release of serotonin in the striatum.PZM21 presents antinociceptive efficacy and does not possess rewarding or reinforcing properties. However, its clinical application may be restricted, as it induces tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Notably, its ability to diminish morphine reward implicates that PZM21 may be useful in opioid use disorder therapy

Effectiveness of mesh hernioplasty in incarcerated inguinal hernias

INTRODUCTION: The use of mesh is still controversial in patients undergoing emergency incarcerated hernia repair, mostly because of potential infectious complications. AIM: The main aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of tension-free methods in treating incarcerated inguinal hernias (IIH), with and without intestine resection. The secondary aim was to establish an algorithm on how to proceed with incarcerated hernias. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent surgery due to an inguinal hernia at the First Department of General Surgery Jagiellonian University Medical College in Krakow, in the period 1999–2009. Operative methods included Lichtenstein, Robbins-Rutkow and Prolene Hernia System. The rate of postoperative complications was compared in patients who underwent elective and emergency surgery. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 567 patients (546 male) age 19–91 years. In this group 624 hernias were treated using the three tension-free techniques – 295 using the Lichtenstein method, 236 using PHS and 93 using the RR technique. Out of the 561 operations 89.9% were elective. No correlation (p > 0.05) was found between the type of surgery and such complications as postoperative pain duration and intensity, fever, micturation disorders, wound healing disorders, testicle hydrocoele, testicle atrophy, spermatic cord cyst, sexual dysfunction, wound dehiscence, wound suppuration, seroma, haematoma and hernia recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Mesh repairs can be safely performed while operating due to an IIH. The use of a synthetic implant, in emergency IIH repairs, does not increase the rate of local complications. Synchronous, partial resection of the small intestine, due to intestinal necrosis, is not a contraindication to use mesh

Assessment of inguinal hernia treatment results in patients operated on with mesh using Lichtenstein, PHS and Robbins-Rutkow techniques

ntroduction: The inguinal region is a locus of minor resistance in the abdominal wall. Hernias in this area occur in the spacedescribed as the myopectineal orifice (Fruchaud). Among tensionless hernia repairs the most popular methods nowadaysare: Lichtenstein technique, Prolene Hernia System (PHS), ULTRAPRO Hernia System (UHS), mesh-plug and laparoscopicmethods (TAPP, TEP). It has not been established yet which one of the methods leads to the best treatment results.Aim: To evaluate treatment results of inguinal hernias in patients operated on with mesh using three techniques:Lichtenstein, PHS and mesh-plug.Material and methods: Between the years 2000 and 2007, 758 men and 35 women were operated on. The mean age was46.7. Spinal or general anaesthesia was used. One hundred and forty-four patients (18.1%) were operated on withoutantibiotic prophylaxis.Results: Seven hundred and ninety-three operations were performed: Lichtenstein technique was carried out in301 patients (37.9%), mesh-plug in 325 patients (40.9%) and PHS in 167 patients (21.2%). Spinal anaesthesia was performedin 787 patients (99.2%). General anaesthesia was necessary in 6 patients (0.8%) due to degeneration of thevertebral column. Complications observed include: wound suppuration, haematoma and seroma formation, chronicpain and hernia recurrence. Patients were discharged on the first postoperative day. Return to physical activity wasobserved usually 14 days after the operation.Conclusions: 1. The analysed methods did not differ according to complication and recurrence rates.2. In the authors’ opinion the Lichtenstein method should remain the standard treatment of inguinal hernia.3. There are no indications for routine antibiotic prophylaxis in patients undergoing elective hernia operations with mesh

Pathergy phenomenon in a patient with pyoderma gangrenosum : case report

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare, chronic and relapsing skin disease. In 50-70% of cases it is associated with systemic diseases, most commonly ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. Although lesions are usually limited to the skin, systemic involvement has rarely been reported. Because of the non-specific histological findings, the diagnosis of PG is mainly based on clinical presentation. In 20-30% of patients the emergence of new lesions can be induced by small injuries. In treatment of small lesions local steroids and tacrolimus are used. In patients with a severe disease course systemic treatment is required. Corticosteroids are widely used as initial therapy. In case of lack of response, ciclosporin is recommended. The use of azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil and biological treatment has also been reported. We present a case of a 48-year-old man with an ulcerative lesion on the left shank. The skin lesion was accompanied by abdominal pain, fever and shivers. According to the CT scan the diagnosis of retroperitoneal abscess was made and a surgical procedure was performed. At the site of the surgical incision, a non-healing skin ulcer appeared. Despite intensive treatment the patient's condition worsened, leading to multiorgan insufficiency and death

Acute stress modulates noradrenergic signaling in the ventral tegmental area-amygdalar circuit

Noradrenergic neurotransmission is a critical mediator of stress responses. In turn, exposure to stress induces noradrenergic system adaptations, some of which are implicated in the etiology of stress-related disorders. Adrenergic receptors (AR) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) have been demonstrated to regulate phasic dopamine (DA) release in the forebrain, necessary for behavioral responses to conditional cues. However, the impact of stress on noradrenergic modulation of the VTA has not been previously explored. We demonstrate that ARs in the VTA regulate dopaminergic activity in the VTA-BLA (basolateral amygdala) circuit, a key system for processing stress-related stimuli; and that such control is altered by acute stress. We utilized fast-scan cyclic voltammetry to assess the effects of intra-VTA microinfusion of α1 -AR and α2 -AR antagonists (terazosin and RX-821002, respectively), on electrically evoked phasic DA release in the BLA in stress-naïve and stressed (unavoidable electric shocks - UES) anaesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats. In addition, we used western blotting to explore UES-induced alterations in AR protein level in the VTA. Intra-VTA terazosin or RX-821002 dose-dependently attenuated DA release in the BLA. Interestingly, UES decreased the effects of intra-VTA α2 -AR blockade on DA release (24 h but not 7 days after stress), while the effects of terazosin were unchanged. Despite changes in α2 -AR physiological function in the VTA, UES did not alter α2 -AR protein levels in either intracellular or membrane fractions. These findings demonstrate that NA-ergic modulation of the VTA-BLA circuit undergoes significant alterations in response to acute stress, with α2 -AR signaling indicated as a key target

Differential role of ventral tegmental area acetylcholine and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in cocaine-seeking

Exposure to drug-associated cues evokes drug-seeking behavior and is regarded as a major cause of relapse. Cues evoke burst firing of ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neurons and phasic DA release in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Cholinergic and glutamatergic input to the VTA is suggested to gate phasic DA activity. However, the role of VTA cholinergic and glutamatergic receptors in regulating phasic dopamine release and cue-induced drug-seeking in cocaine experienced subjects is not known. In male Sprague-Dawley rats, we found that VTA inactivation strongly inhibited, while VTA stimulation promoted, cocaine-seeking behavior during early withdrawal. Blockade of phasic activated D1 receptors in the NAc core also strongly inhibited cue-induced cocaine-seeking--suggesting an important role of phasic DA activity in the VTA to NAc core circuit. Next, we examined the role of VTA acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) in regulating both NAc core phasic DA release and cue-induced cocaine-seeking. In cocaine naïve subjects, VTA infusion of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antagonist mecamylamine, the muscarinic AChR antagonist scopolamine, or the NMDAR antagonist AP-5, led to robust attenuation of phasic DA release in the NAc core. During early cocaine withdrawal, VTA infusion of AP-5 had limited effects on NAc phasic DA release and cue-induced cocaine-seeking while VTA infusion of mecamylamine or scopolamine robustly inhibited both phasic DA release and cocaine-seeking. The results demonstrate that VTA AChRs, but not NMDARs, strongly regulate cue-induced cocaine-seeking and phasic DA release during early cocaine withdrawal