Mechanistic insights into ultrasonic neurostimulation of disconnected neurons using single short pulses

Ultrasonic neurostimulation is a potentially potent noninvasive therapy, whose mechanism has yet to be elucidated. We designed a system capable of applying ultrasound with minimal reflections to neuronal cultures. Synaptic transmission was pharmacologically controlled, eliminating network effects, enabling examination of single-cell processes. Short single pulses of low-intensity ultrasound were applied, and time-locked responses were examined using calcium imaging.Low-pressure (0.35 MPa) ultrasound directly stimulated ～20% of pharmacologically disconnected neurons, regardless of membrane poration. Stimulation was resistant to the blockade of several purinergic receptor and mechanosensitive ion channel types. Stimulation was blocked, however, by suppression of action potentials. Surprisingly, even extremely short (4 μs) pulses were effective, stimulating ～8% of the neurons. Lower-pressure pulses (0.35 MPa) were less effective than higher-pressure ones (0.65 MPa). Attrition effects dominated, with no indication of compromised viability.Our results detract from theories implicating cavitation, heating, non-transient membrane pores >1.5 nm, pre-synaptic release, or gradual effects. They implicate a post-synaptic mechanism upstream of the action potential, and narrow down the list of possible targets involved.     

Regional activation of the human medial temporal lobe during intentional encoding of objects and positions

The medial temporal lobe (MTL) consists of several regions thought to be involved in learning and memory. However, the degree of functional specialization among these regions remains unclear. Previous studies have demonstrated effects of both content and processing stage, but findings have been inconsistent. In particular, studies have suggested that the perirhinal cortex is more involved in object processing than spatial processing, while other regions such as the parahippocampal cortex have been implicated in spatial processing. In this study, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) optimized for the MTL region was used to probe MTL activation during intentional encoding of object identities or positions. A region of interest analysis showed that object encoding evoked stronger activation than position encoding in bilateral perirhinal cortex, temporopolar cortex, parahippocampal cortex, hippocampus and amygdala. Results also indicate an unexpected significant correlation in activation level between anterior and posterior portions in both the left parahippocampal cortex and left hippocampus. Exploratory analysis did not show any regional content effects during preparation and rehearsal stages. These results provide additional evidence for functional specialization within the MTL, but were less clear regarding the specific nature of content specificity in these regions.     

Analysis of Carotid Artery Transverse Sections in Long Ultrasound Video Sequences

Examination of the common carotid artery (CCA) based on an ultrasound video sequence is an effective method for detecting cardiovascular diseases. Here, we propose a video processing method for the automated geometric analysis of CCA transverse sections. By explicitly compensating the parasitic phenomena of global movement and feature drift, our method enables a reliable and accurate estimation of the movement of the arterial wall based on ultrasound sequences of arbitrary length and in situations where state-of-the-art methods fail or are very inaccurate. The method uses a modified Viola–Jones detector and the Hough transform to localize the artery in the image. Then it identifies dominant scatterers, also known as interest points (IPs), whose positions are tracked by means of the pyramidal Lucas–Kanade method. Robustness to global movement and feature drift is achieved by a detection of global movement and subsequent IP re-initialization, as well as an adaptive removal and addition of IPs. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated using simulated and real ultrasound video sequences. Using the Harris detector for IP detection, we obtained an overall root-mean-square error, averaged over all the simulated sequences, of 2.16?±?1.18 px. The computational complexity of our method is compatible with real-time operation; the runtime is about 30–70?ms/frame for sequences with a spatial resolution of up to 490?×?490 px. We expect that in future clinical practice, our method will be instrumental for non-invasive early-stage diagnosis of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases.     

Gender Differences in the Emotional Response and Subjective Sexual Arousal Toward Non-Consensual Sexual Intercourse: A Pupillometric Study

BackgroundGender differences in sexual response have targeted individuals' emotional appraisal of mainstream erotica. Yet, evidence reveals that men and women commonly endorse non-normative sexual interests, and no evidence has been collected on their emotional responses toward deviant sexual stimuli.AimThis study was aimed at evaluating gender differences in the emotional responses toward non-consensual sexual intercourse, thus revealing individuals' appraisal of non-normative sexual contents. In order to provide an initial background to interpret findings, this study further tested the association between individuals' emotional responses and sexual self-schemas (SSSs).Methods29 men and 45 women (all heterosexual) were voluntarily exposed to audiovisual presentations of non-consensual/physically forced sexual intercourse in a laboratory context. Markers of emotional response were collected by psychophysiological and self-report means.OutcomesPupil activation, namely pupil diameter ratio, during exposure to the video clips was captured with an eye tracker. Positive and negative emotions and subjective sexual arousal toward the clips were also collected. In addition, participants responded to the SSS scale assessing individuals' sexual self-perceptions.ResultsFindings revealed a small degree of gender differences. While men reported significantly more positive emotions toward the clip displaying a woman as recipient to non-consensual sex, no further differences were found. Also, participants revealed an increased pupil diameter ratio only in the first moments of the video clips. SSSs, including themes of aggression and power, were associated with men's emotional responses toward the clips, while no associations were found in women.Clinical TranslationDespite its preliminary nature, the current study provides evidence on the emotional mechanisms underpinning human sexual response, and may eventually translate to conceptualizing models with a focus on non-normative sexual behavior.Strengths & LimitationsTo our best knowledge, this is the first study researching gender specificities in the emotional appraisal of non-consented sex. Current findings may help to understand individuals' deviant sexual interests and establish a framework for future research in this area. However, it is worth noting that lack of previous research prevents the generalization of findings and limits our interpretation of data.ConclusionFindings revealed a small degree of gender differences in the emotional appraisal of non-consensual sexual intercourse, and suggested partial evidence in the relationship between sexual self-perceptions and emotional responses to forced sex.Carvalho J, Rosa PJ. Gender Differences in the Emotional Response and Subjective Sexual Arousal Toward Non-Consensual Sexual Intercourse: A Pupillometric Study. J Sex Med 2020;17:1865–1874.     

性别平等问题的伦理分析与对策研究

性别平等是指男、女两性在社会环境中彼此尊重不受伤害；而性别不平等是指社会学意义上的男、女两性在具体社会生活中享受权益的不均等。介绍了我国在性别平等问题方面采取的措施和取得的成就，讨论了实现男女平等是构建社会主义和谐社会的必然要求，是我国社会发展的一项基本国策。故此我国应积极实施与完善有关法律与政策进一步解决性别问题。     

Performance in leisure-time physical activities and self-efficacy in females with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine leisure-time physical activities (LTPAs) and their association with self-efficacy in females with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (n = 238). Their self-reported performance in LTPAs was measured by the Interest Checklist and efficacy beliefs by using the Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scales (ASES). LTPAs were classified as active or less active according to how many LTPAs they performed. The participants had reduced their participation in LTPAs by almost one-third during the last year. Active individuals performed the vigorous activities more often, they had a higher level of education, were working to a significantly greater extent, and reported better function, higher scores on the self-efficacy scales, and lower joint pain and fatigue. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that a high level of LTPAs was independently related to less fatigue (OR 0.98, p = 0.004), positive self-efficacy in coping with RA functions (OR 1.03, p = 0.015), and higher employment level (OR 0.42, p = 0.039). Only a quarter of the responders were physically active in their leisure time in the present study. Less active individuals reduced their performance in LTPAs to a much higher degree than active individuals during the last year. Partaking in a high amount of LTPAs was related to less fatigue and higher efficacy beliefs.