Will Brain Cells Derived From Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells or Directly Converted From Somatic Cells (iNs) Be Useful for Schizophrenia Research?

The reprogramming of nonneuronal somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells and their derivation to functional brain cells as well as the related methods for direct conversion of somatic cells to neurons have opened up the possibility of conducting research on cellular disease models from living schizophrenia patients. We review the published literature on schizophrenia that has used this rapidly developing technology, highlighting the need for specific aims and reproducibility. The key issues for consideration for future schizophrenia research in this field are discussed and potential investigations using this technology are put forward for critical assessment by the reader.Key words: induced pluripotent stem cells, model, brain cells, schizophrenia, experimental design     

The physiological response to norepinephrine during hypothermia and rewarming

Our purpose was to determine if core hypothermia influences physiological responses to norepinephrine (NE); and if rewarming reverses these effects. Animals were instrumented to measure mean arterial pressure (MAP) and cardiac output (CO). Core temperature was manipulated from 37.5 degrees C (normothermia), to 30 degrees C (hypothermia) and the back to 37.5 degrees C (rewarming) using an external arterial-venous femoral shunt. At each of these temperatures, baseline CO and MAP were measured. Norepinephrine (NE) was infused at rates to deliver 0.2, 1.0, or 5 microg kg(-1) per h. At each dose CO and MAP was measured again. Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) was calculated using the formula (SVR = (MAP/CO) x 80). Eight animals underwent all three phases of the protocol. The response to NE during normothermia was a significant increase in MAP to doses of 1 microg kg(-1) per min (P < 0.01) and 5 microg kg(-1) per min (P < 0.01) and SVR to doses of 1 microg kg(-1) per min (P < 0.01) and 5 microg kg(-1) per min (P < 0.01). The response to NE during hypothermia was a significant increase in MAP only at doses of 1 microg kg(-1) per min (P = 0.03) and 5 microg kg(-1) per min (P = 0.01). The response to NE after rewarming was a significant increase in MAP only at a dose of 5 microg kg(-1) per min (P = 0.03). This study shows that core hypothermia causes a change in physiological response to NE that rewarming does not reverse.     

Season-dependent symptoms in consultation-liaison patients

INTRODUCTION: We investigated those psychiatric patients whose reason for seeking medical help was primarily a physical condition. Our objectives were to analyse to what extent they suffered from seasonal variation in mood and behaviour during winter, and to examine whether these patients were evenly distributed between the categories of the ICD-10 Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders (ICD-10) by their primary diagnosis of mental disorder. METHOD: Patients attending the psychiatric services of a consultation liaison unit were interviewed for diagnosis, and were asked to fill in a questionnaire on seasonal variation in mood and behaviour. RESULTS: Our results suggest that there are many patients fulfilling the criteria based on the Seasonal Pattern Assessment uestionnaire (SPA) for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or for subsyndromal SAD, not only in the ICD-10 diagnosis category of mood (affective) disorders but also in other disorder categories. CONCLUSION: This observation is of importance to hospital and private clinicians, as it emphasizes the need to assess the clinical picture in detail and to consider treatment alternatives for patients presenting with mental disorder with a seasonal pattern. (Int J Psych Clin Pract 2000; 4:151-154)     

Leisure-Time Physical Activity and the Metabolic Syndrome in the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effects of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and resistance training on metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in a post hoc analysis of the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study, a randomized controlled lifestyle counseling trial.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A cohort of 486 middle-aged overweight men and women with impaired glucose tolerance were followed for an average of 4.1 years. The intervention and control groups were combined in the analyses. LTPA was assessed by questionnaires, dietary intake by food records, and features of the MetS by anthropometric and biochemical measures annually. Resistance training sessions were documented for 137 participants.

RESULTS

Increased moderate-to-vigorous LTPA, even after adjustments for changes in dietary intakes of total and saturated fat, fiber, and energy, and change in BMI was associated with a greater likelihood for resolution (29.7 vs. 19.1%; P = 0.004 in the upper versus lower third of change) and a lesser likelihood for development (23.5 vs. 44.7%; P = 0.041) of the MetS. Of the components of the MetS, the increase in moderate-to-vigorous LTPA was associated most strongly with improvement of glycemia. Among the 137 participants who participated in resistance training, MetS components were favorable in individuals who were in the upper third of participation rate (median 51 times/year) compared with individuals in the lowest third (median 8.5 times/year).

CONCLUSIONS

Increased moderate-to-vigorous LTPA was associated with a decreased likelihood of developing the MetS and an increased likelihood of its resolution in individuals at high risk for type 2 diabetes.The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a constellation of interrelated metabolic risk factors, including abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and elevated blood pressure, often accompanied by a prothrombotic and proinflammatory state (1,2). The underlying pathophysiology of the MetS is unclear, but both insulin resistance and abdominal obesity are considered main components (1,2). The MetS increases the risk of both type 2 diabetes (3) and cardiovascular disease (4,5).Recent recommendations for the prevention and treatment of the MetS and its components promote increased physical activity (including aerobic and resistance exercise), a healthy diet, and weight loss (2,6–8). In lifestyle interventions trials, the incidence of type 2 diabetes has been reduced by more than half in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance, and the prevalence of the MetS has also been decreased (9,10). In the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study (DPS), increased moderate-to-vigorous leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) was strongly associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, independently of dietary changes and weight loss (11).Some prospective epidemiological studies and uncontrolled trials have suggested that increased moderate-to-vigorous exercise decreases the incidence or prevalence of the MetS (8,12,13). However, data on the role of changes in LTPA in the prevention and treatment of the MetS in long-term studies are limited. Therefore, we conducted a post hoc analysis of the Finnish DPS. Our hypothesis was that the change in LTPA and participation in resistance training would be associated with the change in the MetS and its components.     

Synthesis and characterization of CuO@S-doped g-C3N4 based nanocomposites for binder-free sensor applications

This study presents the simultaneous exfoliation and modification of heterostructured copper oxide incorporated sulfur doped graphitic carbon nitride (CuO@S-doped g-C₃N₄) nanocomposites (NCs) synthesized via chemical precipitation and pyrolysis techniques. The results revealed that the approach is feasible and highly efficient in producing 2-dimensional CuO@S-doped g-C₃N₄ NCs. The findings also showed a promising technique for enhancing the optical and electrical properties of bulk g-C₃N₄ by combining CuO nanoparticles (NPs) with S-doped g-C₃N₄. The crystallite and the average size of the NCs were validated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. Incorporation of the cubical structured CuO on flower shaped S-doped-g-C₃N₄ was visualized and characterized through XRD, HR-SEM/EDS/SED, FT-IR, BET, UV-Vis/DRS, PL, XPS and impedance spectroscopy. The agglomerated NCs had various pore sizes, shapes and nanosized crystals, while being photo-active in the UV-vis range. The synergistic effect of CuO and S-doped g-C₃N₄ as co-modifiers greatly facilitates the electron transfer process between the electrolyte and the bare glassy carbon electrode. Specific surface areas of the NCs clearly revealed modification of bulk S-doped g-C₃N₄ when CuO NPs are incorporated with S-doped g-C₃N₄, providing a suitable environment for the binder-free decorated electrode with sensing behavior for hazardous pollutants. This was tested for the preparation of a 4-nitrophenol sensor.

This study presents the simultaneous exfoliation and modification of heterostructured copper oxide incorporated sulfur doped graphitic carbon nitride (CuO@S-doped g-C₃N₄) nanocomposites synthesized via chemical precipitation and pyrolysis techniques.     

Influenza A Outbreaks in Two Professional Ice Hockey Teams during COVID-19 Epidemic

Influenza A outbreaks occurred in two professional hockey teams just after two games they played against each other. Thirteen players and two staff members fell ill during 17–20 April 2022, while COVID-19 was prevalent. Altogether, seven players missed an important game due to influenza. The rapid diagnosis permitted effective pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical control of the outbreaks.     

Zur Physiologie und Pathologie des Lidschlusses

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

I. Zwei seltene Fälle von Incontinenz des Ostium pulmonale,bedingt durch Fehlen eines Klappensegels

Ohne Zusammenfassung