How structural and functional MRI can inform dual-site tACS parameters: A case study in a clinical population and its pragmatic implications

BackgroundAbnormalities in frontoparietal network (FPN) were observed in many neuropsychiatric diseases including substance use disorders. A growing number of studies are using dual-site-tACS with frontoparietal synchronization to engage this network. However, a computational pathway to inform and optimize parameter space for frontoparietal synchronization is still lacking. In this case study, in a group of participants with methamphetamine use disorders, we proposed a computational pathway to extract optimal electrode montage while accounting for stimulation intensity using structural and functional MRI.MethodsSixty methamphetamine users completed an fMRI drug cue-reactivity task. Four main steps were taken to define electrode montage and adjust stimulation intensity using 4x1 high-definition (HD) electrodes for a dual-site-tACS; (1) Frontal seed was defined based on the maximum electric fields (EF) predicted by simulation of HD montage over DLPFC (F3/F4 in EEG 10–10), (2) frontal seed-to-whole brain context-dependent correlation was calculated to determine connected regions to frontal seeds, (3) center of connected cluster in parietal cortex was selected as a location for placing the second set of HD electrodes to shape the informed montage, (4) individualized head models were used to determine optimal stimulation intensity considering underlying brain structure. The informed montage was compared to montages with large electrodes and classic frontoparietal HD montages (F3-P3/F4-P4) in terms of tACS-induced EF and ROI-to-ROI task-based/resting-state connectivity.ResultsCompared to the large electrodes, HD frontoparietal montages allow for a finer control of the spatial peak fields in the main nodes of the FPN at the cost of lower maximum EF (large-pad/HD: max EF[V/m] = 0.37/0.11, number of cortical sub-regions that EF exceeds 50% of the max = 77/13). For defining stimulation targets based on EF patterns, using group-level head models compared to a single standard head model results in comparable but significantly different seed locations (6.43 mm Euclidean distance between the locations of the frontal maximum EF in standard-space). As expected, significant task-based/resting-state connections were only found between frontal-parietal locations in the informed montage. Cue-induced craving score was correlated with frontoparietal connectivity only in the informed montage (r = ?0.24). Stimulation intensity in the informed montage, and not in the classic HD montage, needs 40% reduction in the parietal site to reduce the disparity in EF between stimulation sites.ConclusionThis study provides some empirical insights to montage and dose selection in dual-site-tACS using individual brain structures and functions and proposes a computational pathway to use head models and functional MRI to define (1) optimum electrode montage for targeting FPN in a context of interest (drug-cue-reactivity) and (2) proper transcranial stimulation intensity.     

Immunisation with the BCG and DTPw vaccines induces different programs of trained immunity in mice

In addition to providing pathogen-specific immunity, vaccines can also confer nonspecific effects (NSEs) on mortality and morbidity unrelated to the targeted disease. Immunisation with live vaccines, such as the BCG vaccine, has generally been associated with significantly reduced all-cause infant mortality. In contrast, some inactivated vaccines, such as the diphtheria, tetanus, whole-cell pertussis (DTPw) vaccine, have been controversially associated with increased all-cause mortality especially in female infants in high-mortality settings. The NSEs associated with BCG have been attributed, in part, to the induction of trained immunity, an epigenetic and metabolic reprograming of innate immune cells, increasing their responsiveness to subsequent microbial encounters. Whether non-live vaccines such as DTPw induce trained immunity is currently poorly understood. Here, we report that immunisation of mice with DTPw induced a unique program of trained immunity in comparison to BCG immunised mice. Altered monocyte and DC cytokine responses were evident in DTPw immunised mice even months after vaccination. Furthermore, splenic cDCs from DTPw immunised mice had altered chromatin accessibility at loci involved in immunity and metabolism, suggesting that these changes were epigenetically mediated. Interestingly, changing the order in which the BCG and DTPw vaccines were co-administered to mice altered subsequent trained immune responses. Given these differences in trained immunity, we also assessed whether administration of these vaccines altered susceptibility to sepsis in two different mouse models. Immunisation with either BCG or a DTPw-containing vaccine prior to the induction of sepsis did not significantly alter survival. Further studies are now needed to more fully investigate the potential consequences of DTPw induced trained immunity in different contexts and to assess whether other non-live vaccines also induce similar changes.     

D6S1043、D12S391基因座与主动攻击行为的关联研究

目的:探讨D6S1043、D12S391基因座的基因多态性对主动攻击行为的影响。方法:应用聚合酶链反应技术结合毛细管电泳法对114例男性主动攻击行为者(研究组)及120名健康男性(对照组)进行D6S1043、D12S391基因座的基因型及等位基因检测,分析D6S1043、D12S391基因座多态性与主动攻击行为的相关性。结果:研究组D6S1043基因座中12~19基因型频率(13.16%)明显高于对照组(1.67%)(P0.05);两组等位基因频率差异无统计学意义;两组D12S391基因座的基因型及等位基因频率差异无统计学意义。结论:D6S1043基因座中12~19基因型可能主动攻击行为有关。     

Immunogenicity of next-generation HPV vaccines in non-human primates: Measles-vectored HPV vaccine versus Pichia pastoris recombinant protein vaccine

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted disease worldwide. HPVs are oncogenic small double-stranded DNA viruses that are the primary causal agent of cervical cancer and other types of cancers, including in the anus, oropharynx, vagina, vulva, and penis. Prophylactic vaccination against HPV is an attractive strategy for preventing cervical cancer and some other types of cancers. However, there are few safe and effective vaccines against HPV infections. Current first-generation commercial HPV vaccines are expensive to produce and deliver.The goal of this study was to develop an alternate potent HPV recombinant L1-based vaccines by producing HPV virus-like particles into a vaccine that is currently used worldwide. Live attenuated measles virus (MV) vaccines have a well-established safety and efficacy record, and recombinant MV (rMV) produced by reverse genetics may be useful for generating candidate HPV vaccines to meet the needs of the developing world.We studied in non-human primate rMV-vectored HPV vaccine in parallel with a classical alum adjuvant recombinant HPV16L1 and 18L1 protein vaccine produced in Pichia pastoris. A combined prime-boost approach using both vaccines was evaluated, as well as immune interference due to pre-existing immunity against the MV.The humoral immune response induced by the MV, Pichia-expressed vaccine, and their combination as priming and boosting approaches was found to elicit HPV16L1 and 18L1 specific total IgG and neutralizing antibody titres. Pre-existing antibodies against measles did not prevent the immune response against HPV16L1 and 18L1.     

石斛合剂对高脂高糖糖尿病大鼠心肌细胞Ca^2+代谢的影响

目的以糖尿病心肌病大鼠为研究对象,探讨石斛合剂对糖尿病心肌病心肌细胞Ca^2+代谢的影响。方法 Wistar大鼠24只,取5只作为正常组,余19只采用高脂高糖饮食联合链脲佐菌素腹腔注射进行糖尿病心肌病造模。成模后,随机分为模型组、二甲双胍组、石斛合剂组。二甲双胍组、石斛合剂组分别予二甲双胍、石斛合剂灌胃,正常组、模型组予生理盐水灌胃。4周后,测空腹血糖,取左心室心肌组织进行组织病理学观察和心肌细胞内游离钙(MyoCa^2+)浓度测定,Western blot法检测肌浆网Ca^2+-ATP酶(SERCA2a)、L型钙通道α1C亚单位蛋白(CACNA1C)蛋白表达,RT-PCR法测定SERCA2a mRNA表达。结果石斛合剂组心肌纤维较模型组、二甲双胍组排列整齐,断裂较少。与正常组比较,模型组血糖、心肌细胞MyoCa^2+含量和CACNA1C蛋白表达明显升高(P<0.01,P<0.05),SERCA2a mRNA和蛋白表达明显降低(P<0.01)。与模型组比较,石斛合剂组血糖、心肌细胞MyoCa^2+含量和CACNA1C蛋白表达明显降低(P<0.01,P<0.05),SERCA2a mRNA和蛋白表达明显升高(P<0.01,P<0.05);二甲双胍组血糖明显降低(P<0.01)。与二甲双胍组比较,石斛合剂组心肌细胞MyoCa^2+含量明显降低(P<0.01,P<0.05),血糖、SERCA2a mRNA和蛋白表达明显升高(P<0.05)。结论石斛合剂通过提高SERCA2a mRNA和蛋白表达,加快摄取Ca^2+的速率,降低细胞质Ca^2+负荷,缓解钙超载,最终达到维持糖尿病心肌病钙稳态的作用,有效维持心肌细胞的正常收缩舒张功能;其降糖作用不是预防糖尿病心肌病的主要机理,而在于抑制CACNA1C蛋白表达,抑制钙诱导钙释放过程。     

基于多元统计分析的银杏叶提取物中有机酸类成分含量研究

目的建立HPLC法测定银杏叶提取物中9种小分子有机酸类成分莽草酸、儿茶素、表儿茶素、没食子酸、原儿茶酸、6-羟基犬尿喹啉酸、对羟基苯甲酸、对羟基肉桂酸、咖啡酸含量的方法,并结合多元统计分析方法比较不同厂家生产的银杏叶提取物间质量差异。方法采用Inertsil ODS-3 C_(18)(250 mm×4.6 mm,5μm)色谱柱;以乙腈-0.4%磷酸水溶液为流动相,梯度洗脱,波长切换测定(220 nm检测莽草酸、儿茶素、表儿茶素,254 nm检测没食子酸、原儿茶酸、6-羟基犬尿喹啉酸、对羟基苯甲酸,310 nm检测对羟基肉桂酸、咖啡酸),柱温40℃。结果不同厂家生产的银杏叶提取物中有机酸总含量有差异,厂家内部样品中各有机酸含量同样存在差异。经聚类分析、主成分分析、相关与回归分析等多元统计方法分析,筛选出儿茶素、没食子酸、原儿茶酸及6-羟基犬尿喹啉酸为体现样品质量差异的特征成分,同时成分间具有内在相关性。结论建立的方法操作简便、重复性好、结果可靠,可用于银杏叶提取物中有机酸类成分的质量评价。筛选出的儿茶素、没食子酸、原儿茶酸及6-羟基犬尿喹啉酸是体现质量差异的特征成分,又是具有内在关联的共性成分,为提升银杏叶提取物整体质量控制能力提供了依据,同时表明银杏叶提取物的提取工艺并不统一,企业内部工艺的稳定性也有待提高。     

Insulin-like growth factor-1 as predictive factor of difficult laryngoscopy in patients with GH-producing pituitary adenoma: A pilot study

BackgroundGrowth hormone (GH)-producing pituitary tumors account for 10 to 15% of pituitary tumors. The hypersecretion of GH may induce changes in the airway anatomy through the activation of Insulin-like Growth factor 1(IGF-1) pathway. We sought investigate the role IGF-1 as a potential predictive factor of difficult laryngoscopy in patients with GH-producing pituitary adenoma.MethodsThis study was a single center retrospective study. We included 33 patients undergoing transsphenoidal resection of GH-producing pituitary. We recorded demographic data, el-Ganzouri risk index (EGRI) and modified Look-Evaluate-Mallampati-Obstruction-Neck mobility (mLEMON) score, and pituitary hormone plasma levels. We performed ordinal logistic regression to analyze the relationship between IGF-1 and EGRI, mLEMON, and Cormack-Lehane Grade score and a multiple logistic regression to test the capability of EGRI, mLEMON and IGF-1 levels to predict Cormack-Lehane score. Receiver operating curve (ROC), area under the curve (AUC), and cut-off value of IGF-1 were calculated.ResultsOnly 14 (42.8%) and 12 (36.36%) patients showed predictive factors of difficult intubation according to EGRI and mLEMON score, respectively. IGF-1 significantly correlated with Cormack-Lehane (p = 0.005879) but not with mLEMON and EGRI (p = 0.3080 and 0.4146, respectively). In multiple regression model IGF-1 correlated only with Cormack-Lehane grade (p = 0.0089). Area under ROC was 0.8571 and cut-off value of IGF-1 was 186.15 ng/ml.ConclusionHigher IGF-1 levels correlate with the probability of having a higher Cormack-Lehane score; classical bedside scores, such as mLEMON and EGRI, were not able to predict difficult laryngoscopy in our population.     

Effect of a Device-Free Compressed Shell Fixation Method on Hepatic Respiratory Movement: Analysis for Respiratory Amplitude of the Liver and Internal Motions of a Fiducial Marker

Purpose

Suppression of respiratory movement of the liver would be desirable for high-precision radiation therapy for liver tumors. We aimed to investigate the effect of our original device-free compressed shell fixation method and breathing instruction on suppression of respiratory movement. The characteristics of liver motion based on the movement of a fiducial marker were also analyzed.