Infection with Toxoplasma gondii does not elicit predator aversion in male mice nor increase their attractiveness in terms of mate choice

Behavioral manipulation hypothesis posits that some parasites induce behavioral changes in the host to increase transmission efficiency of the parasite. Protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii infecting rats has been widely studied in this context. T. gondii increases attractiveness of infected male rats and reduces innate aversion of rats to cat odor, likely increasing transmission of the parasite by sexual and trophic routes respectively. It is currently unexplored if T. gondii induces gain of male attractiveness in experimental models other than rats. Here we show that laboratory infection of two strains of mice does not induce behavioral manipulation. Moreover, T. gondii infection results in reduction of male attractiveness in one of the strains. In agreement with this observation, T. gondii infection also fails to induce reduction in innate aversion to cat odors in mice. Effects of the parasite on mice mate choice are similar to effects of several other parasites in this animal model. Thus, behavioral change induced by the parasite may be specific to the rodent species.     

Novel CD3Z and CD3E Deficiency in Two Unrelated Females

Journal of Clinical Immunology -     

Imaging in whole organ pancreatic transplants and a multimodality review of its complications

This pictorial review will describe the normal anatomy of whole organ pancreatic transplants and the common surgical variants with which the radiologist should be familiar. Complications may be divided into (1) vascular: arterial occlusion and stenosis, venous thrombosis, pseudoaneurysms and arteriovenous fistulae, (2) parenchymal complications such as pancreatitis and the variety of peripancreatic collections, and (3) enteric complications including leak and fistula formation. The radiologist plays a crucial role in the initial assessment of graft anatomy and perfusion, prompt diagnosis, and increasingly, in the management of complications.     

Associations between obesity and asthma in a low-income,urban, minority population

BackgroundCommunity-based studies of obesity, asthma, biomarkers of oxidative stress, and adipokines among low-income, urban, minority populations are lacking. Oxidative stress, perhaps modulated by adipokines, may increase airway inflammation in obese individuals.ObjectivesTo characterize associations between obesity and asthma in a low-income, urban, minority community and evaluate adipokines, biomarkers of inflammation, and oxidant-antioxidant balance in association with asthma and obesity.MethodsA door-to-door evaluation of asthma and obesity prevalence was performed in a low-income housing development. Nonsmoking adults and children underwent additional evaluation, including allergy skin testing, and measures of serum adipokines, and indicators of oxidative stress in blood and exhaled breath.ResultsThe prevalences of current asthma and a body mass index in the 85th percentile or higher were 15.8% and 35.3%, respectively, among 350 nonsmokers older than 4 years. Asthma and obesity were not associated with one another (odds ratio, 1.0; 95% confidence interval, 0.55-1.84). Among 116 nonsmoking participants who underwent biomarker evaluation, obesity was not associated with exhaled nitric oxide. In multivariate logistic models that adjusted for age category, sex, and a body mass index in 85th percentile or higher, leptin concentrations in the highest quartile were associated with asthma (odds ratio, 8.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.29-50.2) but not with atopy. Adiponectin was associated with total antioxidant capacity in exhaled breath.ConclusionAsthma and obesity, although both common in a low-income, minority community, were not associated with one another. Nevertheless, adipokines were associated with asthma status and with markers of oxidative stress in the lungs, providing some support for an adipokine-inflammatory mechanistic link between the two conditions.     

Electrochemical performance of nano-sized LiFePO4-embedded 3D-cubic ordered mesoporous carbon and nitrogenous carbon composites

Herein, we report a single-step synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical performance of nano-sized LiFePO₄ (LFP)-embedded 3D-cubic mesoporous carbon (CSI-809) and nitrogenous carbon (MNC-859) composites. Furthermore, in order to investigate the effects of both CSI-809 and MNC-859 on the electrochemical characteristics of LFP, a systematic study was performed on the morphology and microstructure of the composites, viz., LFP/CSI-809 and LFP/MNC-859, using XRD, FE-SEM, FT-Raman, and BET surface area analyses. Among these composites, LFP/MNC-859 exhibited better electrochemical performance with higher specific capacity and rate capability as compared to those of LFP/CSI-809. In addition, even after 100 cycles, LFP/MNC-859 retained 97% of its initial discharge capacity at 1C rate. The enhanced electrochemical performance of the nano-sized LFP-embedded MNC-859 can be attributed to the conductive nitrogenous carbon and mesoporosity, which facilitate electrolyte diffusion, and improved conductivity of the advanced LFP-nitrogenous porous carbon matrix.

Nano-sized LiFePO₄-embedded nitrogenous ordered mesoporous carbon composite cathode facilitate electronic conductivity and significantly enhances Li-ion diffusion and retains 97% of the initial discharge capacity at 1C rate even after 100 cycles.     

Influence of anti‐inflammatory irrigant on substance P expression for single‐visit root canal treatment of teeth with irreversible pulpitis

One of the main objectives of root canal treatment is to alleviate the pain associated with irreversibly inflamed pulps. However, some patients may have moderate to severe pain following treatment. The aim of this study was to compare and assess the effect of ketorolac tromethamine on substance P expression in the pulp and periapical tissues when used as a root canal irrigant for single‐visit root canal treatment in teeth with irreversible pulpitis. Thirty‐six patients were randomly allotted to three irrigant groups – saline (n = 14), 3% sodium hypochlorite (n = 11) and ketorolac tromethamine (n = 11). Pulp blood samples (S1) were collected on gaining access to the pulp, and periapical blood samples (S2) were collected after root canal preparation. Quantification of substance P was done by ELISA test. The ketorolac tromethamine group had greater reduction in substance P expression (S2). Post‐operative pain levels were not significantly influenced by the different root canal irrigants.     

Optimal vortex formation time index in mitral valve stenosis

The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - Left ventricular vortex formation time (VFT) is a novel dimensionless index of flow propagation during left ventricular diastole, which has...     

Impaired Macromolecular Protein Pools in Fronto-Striato-Thalamic Circuits in Type 2 Diabetes Revealed by Magnetization Transfer Imaging

Previous research has shown that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with white matter microstructural changes, cognitive impairment, and decreased resting-state functional connectivity and spontaneous brain activity. This study used magnetization transfer imaging to examine, for the first time, the integrity of macromolecular protein pools in fronto-striato-thalamic circuits and its clinical and cognitive correlates in patients with T2DM. T2DM patients without mood disorders (n = 20, aged 65.05 ± 11.95 years) and healthy control subjects (HCs; n = 26, aged 62.92 ± 12.71 years) were recruited. Nodes of fronto-striato-thalamic circuits—head of the caudate nucleus (hCaud), putamen, globus pallidus, thalamus—and four cortical regions—rostral and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and lateral orbitofrontal cortex—were examined. Compared with HCs, patients with T2DM had significantly lower magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) in bilateral anterior cingulate and hCaud. Reduced MTRs in the above regions showed correlations with T2DM-related clinical measures, including hemoglobin A_1c level and vascular risk factors, and neuropsychological task performance in the domains of learning and memory, executive function, and attention and information processing. The impaired biophysical integrity of brain macromolecular protein pools and their local microenvironments in T2DM patients may provide insights into the neurological pathophysiology underlying diabetes-associated clinical and cognitive deficits.     

Protective effects of Eugenia jambolana extract versus N‐acetyl cysteine against cisplatin‐induced damage in rat testis

To assess the protective effects of Eugenia jambolana extract (EJE) or N‐acetyl cysteine (NAC) on testis, cisplatin (CIS, 5 mg kg^?1 bw, single dose) was administered either alone or along with EJE (25 mg kg^?1 bw, alternate day) or NAC (150 mg kg^?1 bw, Day 1 and 4) for 7 days. Significant alterations in serum LH, FSH and testosterone were observed in CIS group which were effectively modulated by EJE or NAC supplementation. Upregulation of 3β‐HSD gene indicated the rise in functional Leydig cells. This was further confirmed from the identical improvement in hCG‐stimulated testosterone production in isolated Leydig cells. Reduction in oxidative stress was associated with restoration of total antioxidant capacity and glutathione levels, and activation of antioxidant enzymes, SOD, catalase, glutathione s‐transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GR). CIS‐induced apoptosis of germ and Leydig cells was contained by both NAC and EJE intervention by effective modulation of apoptotic markers in the extrinsic, intrinsic and other pathways of metazoan apoptosis. Taken together, the study findings establish the potential of EJE as a therapeutically better antioxidant than NAC for use in curtailing the adverse effects of anticancer drugs on testicular function.