Frontal midline theta and N200 amplitude reflect complementary information about expectancy and outcome evaluation

Feedback ERN (fERN) and frontal midline theta have both been proposed to index a dopamine-like reinforcement learning signal in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). We investigated these proposals by comparing fERN amplitude and theta power with respect to their sensitivities to outcome valence and probability in a previously collected EEG dataset. Bayesian model comparison revealed a dissociation between the two measures, with fERN amplitude mainly sensitive to valence and theta power mainly sensitive to probability. Further, fERN amplitude was highly correlated with the portion of theta power that is consistent in phase across trials (i.e., evoked theta power). These results suggest that although both measures provide valuable information about cognitive function of frontal midline cortex, fERN amplitude is specifically sensitive to dopamine reinforcement learning signals whereas theta power reflects the ACC response to unexpected events

Reward feedback stimuli elicit high-beta EEG oscillations in human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

Reward-related feedback stimuli have been observed to elicit a burst of power in the beta frequency range over frontal areas of the human scalp. Recent discussions have suggested possible neural sources for this activity but there is a paucity of empirical evidence on the question. Here we recorded EEG from participants while they navigated a virtual T-maze to find monetary rewards. Consistent with previous studies, we found that the reward feedback stimuli elicited an increase in beta power (20-30 Hz) over a right-frontal area of the scalp. Source analysis indicated that this signal was produced in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). These findings align with previous observations of reward-related beta oscillations in the DLPFC in non-human primates. We speculate that increased power in the beta frequency range following reward receipt reflects the activation of task-related neural assemblies that encode the stimulus-response mapping in working memory

Identification and characterization of an inhibitory fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) molecule, up-regulated in an Apert Syndrome mouse model

AS (Apert syndrome) is a congenital disease composed of skeletal, visceral and neural abnormalities, caused by dominant-acting mutations in FGFR2 [FGF (fibroblast growth factor) receptor 2]. Multiple FGFR2 splice variants are generated through alternative splicing, including PTC (premature termination codon)-containing transcripts that are normally eliminated via the NMD (nonsense-mediated decay) pathway. We have discovered that a soluble truncated FGFR2 molecule encoded by a PTC-containing transcript is up-regulated and persists in tissues of an AS mouse model. We have termed this IIIa–TM as it arises from aberrant splicing of FGFR2 exon 7 (IIIa) into exon 10 [TM (transmembrane domain)]. IIIa–TM is glycosylated and can modulate the binding of FGF1 to FGFR2 molecules in BIAcore-binding assays. We also show that IIIa–TM can negatively regulate FGF signalling in vitro and in vivo. AS phenotypes are thought to result from gain-of-FGFR2 signalling, but our findings suggest that IIIa–TM can contribute to these through a loss-of-FGFR2 function mechanism. Moreover, our findings raise the interesting possibility that FGFR2 signalling may be a regulator of the NMD pathway

Reward-based contextual learning supported by anterior cingulate cortex

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is commonly associated with cognitive control and decision making, but its specific function is highly debated. To explore a recent theory that the ACC learns the reward values of task contexts (Holroyd & McClure in Psychological Review, 122, 54-83, 2015; Holroyd & Yeung in Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 16, 122-128, 2012), we recorded the event-related brain potentials (ERPs) from participants as they played a novel gambling task. The participants were first required to select from among three games in one "virtual casino," and subsequently they were required to select from among three different games in a different virtual casino; unbeknownst to them, the payoffs for the games were higher in one casino than in the other. Analysis of the reward positivity, an ERP component believed to reflect reward-related signals carried to the ACC by the midbrain dopamine system, revealed that the ACC is sensitive to differences in the reward values associated with both the casinos and the games inside the casinos, indicating that participants learned the values of the contexts in which rewards were delivered. These results highlight the importance of the ACC in learning the reward values of task contexts in order to guide action selection

The effect of traditional games in fundamental motor skill development in 7-­9 year old boys

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of traditional games on fundamental motor skills in seven to nine year-old boys. Methods: Forty subjects of seven to nine year-old boys selected randomly by a personal information questionnaire. After pretest by Test of Gross Motor Development, edition 2 (TGMD-2), gross motor skill, locomotor and object control motor skills, subjects were divided by random matching into two groups. The first group performed traditional games and the second group performed daily activities. Then children in first group played traditional game at 24 sessions. After 12 and 24 sessions, traditional game and daily activity groups participated in the mid and post tests. Data were analyzed by Variance Analyze of Repeated Measures. Findings: The results showed that traditional games with mean difference in fundamental motor skill development (17.12, P<0.001), and also with mean difference in locomotor (2.23, P=0.002), and mean difference in object control skill development (2.27, P=0.002) significantly are more effective than daily activities. Conclusion: Traditional game program is appropriate for a fundamental motor skill development

The effect of aerial part of Cynara scolymus extract on the hyperlipidemia, plasma antioxidant capacity, and superoxide dismutase activity in diabetic rats

زمینه و هدف: دیابت قندی از نظر بالینی به عنوان یکی از مهمترین عوامل بروز اختلال هایی نظیر نفروپاتی، رتینوپاتی، نوروپاتی و بیماری های قلبی و عروقی می باشد. گیاهان دارویی به دلیل عوارض جانبی کمتر به عنوان جایگزین مناسب داروهای شیمیایی همواره مورد توجه بوده اند. هدف از این تحقیق بررسی تاثیر عصاره آبی کنگر فرنگی بر برخی از فاکتورهای بیوشیمیایی در رت صحرایی نر دیابتی شده با استرپتوزوسین بود. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه تجربی، 24 سر رت صحرایی نر به چهار گروه تقسیم شدند. گروه اول به عنوان گروه کنترل، غذای عادی دریافت کردند. سه گروه دیگر با استرپتوزوتوسین دیابتی شدند. سپس گروه دوم غذای عادی پلیت شده، گروه سوم و چهارم غذای عادی به همراه عصاره کنگر فرنگی به ترتیب با دوز 200 و 400 میلی گرم بر کیلوگرم وزن بدن برای مدت زمان 21 روز به صورت گاواژ دریافت کردند. پس از اتمام زمان آزمایش، از قلب رات ها خون گیری به عمل آمد و پارامترهای تری‌گلیسرید، کلسترول، لیپوپروتئین با دانسیته بالا (HDL-C)، لیپو پروتئین با دانسیته خیلی پایین (VLDL-C)، گلوکز، مالون دی آلدئید پلاسما (MDA)، هموگلوبین گلیکوزیله (HbA1c)، ظرفیت آنتی اکسیدانی پلاسما و فعالیت آنزیم سوپراکسید دیسموتاز (SOD) گلبول های قرمز اندازه گیری و به کمک آزمون های آماری ANOVA و توکی با هم مقایسه شدند. یافته ها: درمان با عصاره آبی کنگر فرنگی باعث کاهش غلظت گلوکز، کلسترول تام، تری گلیسرید،VLDL-C، مالون دی آلدئید و هموگلوبین گلیکوزیله (05/0

Beta oscillations following performance feedback predict subsequent recall of task-relevant information

Reward delivery in reinforcement learning tasks elicits increased beta power in the human EEG over frontal areas of the scalp but it is unclear whether these 20-30 Hz oscillations directly facilitate reward learning. We previously proposed that frontal beta is not specific to reward processing but rather reflects the role of prefrontal cortex in maintaining and transferring task-related information to other brain areas. To test this proposal, we had subjects perform a reinforcement learning task followed by a memory recall task in which subjects were asked to recall stimuli associated either with reward feedback (Reward Recall condition) or error feedback (Error Recall condition). We trained a classifier on post-feedback beta power in the Reward Recall condition to discriminate trials associated with reward feedback from those associated with error feedback and then tested the classifier on post-feedback beta power in the Error Recall condition. Crucially, the model classified error-related beta in the Error Recall condition as reward-related. The model also predicted stimulus recall from post-feedback beta power irrespective of feedback valence and task condition. These results indicate that post-feedback beta power is not specific to reward processing but rather reflects a more general task-related process

The Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activity of Aspirin in Septic Animal Models

Background: Sepsis is a systemic body reaction to invasive microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. Furthermore, it is one of the top ten main causes of death among all patients admitted to the hospital. Multiple potential drug therapies have been investigated in this area; however, an effective pharmacotherapy for sepsis remains undiscovered. Therefore, we explored the effect of Aspirin or Acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA) on the treatment outcomes and reduction of sepsis complications concerning the parameters involved in the oxidative damage of liver tissue. To perform an in vivo experiment, an experimental inflammatory model Cecal Ligation and Puncture (CLP) was performed in rats. Methods: The investigated rats were divided into 4 groups (n=40), as follows: 1. Controls; 2. Laparotomy (LAP) group; 3. CLP group; and 4. The treatment group with aspirin 2 mg/kg bw for 48 h after CLP induction. Then, the explored rats were anesthetized and blood samples were collected from their hearts. Next, the animals were sacrificed and the liver tissue was separated for histopathologic and biochemical studies. Results: The obtained data suggested that the treatment of animals with aspirin was effective in adjusting the antioxidant and inflammatory parameters. Pathological studies also indicated that sepsis led to injuries in the liver tissues, which could be improved by interventions. Conclusion: In conclusion, sepsis caused oxidative damage in the liver tissue, and using aspirin was effective in preventing and improving these injuries