Anterior cingulate reflects susceptibility to framing during attractiveness evaluation

Human cognitive decisions can be strongly susceptible to the manner in which options are presented ('framing effect'). Here we investigated the neural basis of response adjustments induced by changing frames during intuitive decisions. Evidence exists that the anterior cingulate cortex plays a general role in behavioral adjustments. We hypothesized, therefore, that the anterior cingulate cortex is also involved in the 'framing effect'. Our hypothesis was tested by using a binary attractiveness judgment task ('liking' versus 'nonliking') during functional magnetic resonance imaging. We found that the framing-related anterior cingulate cortex activity predicted how strongly susceptible an individual was to a biased response. Our results support the hypothesis that paralimbic processes are crucial for predicting an individual's susceptibility to framing.     

Evidence for the transfer of methadone and EDDP by sweat to children’s hair

International Journal of Legal Medicine - In cases where there is a question as to whether children have come into contact with drugs, examinations of their scalp hair are frequently carried out....     

Correction to: Evidence for the transfer of methadone and EDDP by sweat to children’s hair

International Journal of Legal Medicine - A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-021-02602-2     

Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (CD166)-Its prognostic power for colorectal cancer patients

BackgroundThe activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM, CD166) has been reported to be involved in tumorigenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC) and to function as a cancer stem cell marker. Controversial data exist regarding the prognostic power of ALCAM expression in CRC. Here, we evaluate the expression of ALCAM in a cohort of CRC patients and its usage as a prognostic marker for survival.Materials and methodsTissue specimens from 299 patients with CRC treated between 1993 and 2006 were analyzed via ALCAM immunohistochemistry (clone MOG/07) using a tissue microarray. Results were correlated with clinical, histopathological, and patient survival data (Chi-square test, Kaplan–Meier analysis, and log-rank test, respectively). Multivariate analysis also was performed (Cox regression).ResultsALCAM is expressed in most primary (76%) and secondary (62%) CRC lesions (P = 0.014). Immunohistochemistry revealed an inverse association with tumor grading (P = 0.002) but not with any other clinical or histopathological data. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed a significant overall survival benefit in the group of ALCAM-positive patients (P = 0.019). Multivariate analysis showed that ALCAM is an independent positive prognostic marker for overall survival (P = 0.023).ConclusionsALCAM expression is a positive prognostic marker for overall survival of CRC patients, and its detection might help to optimize the existing prognostic staging system. Elevated expression in higher differentiated tumors might indicate a potential role in the early steps of tumorigenesis, and its loss might be associated with reduced cellular adhesion, resulting in a higher metastatic potential of the tumor. Further studies must be conducted investigating these hypotheses.     

Nonlinear Responses Within the Medial Prefrontal Cortex Reveal When Specific Implicit Information Influences Economic Decision Making

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The authors used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate how individual economic decisions are influenced by implicit memory contributions. METHODS: Twenty-two participants were asked to make binary decisions between different brands of sensorily nearly undistinguishable consumer goods. Changes of brain activity comparing decisions in the presence or absence of a specific target brand were detected by fMRI. RESULTS: Only when the tar get brand was the participant's favorite one did the authors find reduced activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal, posterior parietal, and occipital cortices and the left premotor area (Brodmann areas [BA] 9, 46, 7/19, and 6). Simultaneously, activity was increased in the inferior precuneus and posterior cingulate (BA 7), right superior frontal gyrus (BA 10), right supramarginal gyrus (BA 40), and, most pronounced, in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (BA 10). CONCLUSIONS: For products mainly distinguishable by brand information, the authors revealed a nonlinear winner-take-all effect for a participant's favorite brand characterized, on one hand, by reduced activation in brain areas associated with working memory and reasoning and, on the other hand, increased activation in areas involved in processing of emotions and self-reflections during decision making.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In Vitro</Emphasis> Comparison of Output and Particle Size Distribution of Budesonide from Metered-Dose Inhaler with Three Spacer Devices during Pediatric Tidal Breathing

Objectives: The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the delivered dose of budesonide 200μg via a chlorofluorocarbon-free pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) when administered through different spacers in tidal breathing patterns of young children. Methods: Tidal breathing was simulated for toddlers and children. Spacers tested were Babyhaler®, AeroChamber® Plus small and medium; the pMDI was Budiair® 200μg. Output was measured after one actuation and five inhalations in primed and unprimed spacers. Cumulated output was evaluated after each of five simulated inhalations. Aerosol characteristics — i.e. particle size distribution of the output — were determined in primed spacers with a cascade impactor using high-performance liquid chromatography and UV detection. Results: Total output from primed spacers after five inhalations was determined between 37.9μg and 40.9μg with little differences between spacers and breathing patterns. About 58–79% of this total output was inhaled with the first breath from the AeroChamber® Plus and about 26% from the Babyhaler®. The fine particles <5μm ranged between 87% and 92% of the delivered dose for all three spacers. Discussion and Conclusion: The nominal dose (200μg) of the Budiair® 200μg inhaler is reduced to 40μg delivered dose or less by using Babyhaler® and AeroChamber® Plus spacers taking five breaths. With a single breath the delivered dose can be reduced further to a minimum of 10μg using the Babyhaler®. Clinical studies are warranted in the future for decisions on ’clinical efficacy’, safety, and exact dose adjustment.     

B‐cell inhibition by cross‐linking CD79b is superior to B‐cell depletion with anti‐CD20 antibodies in treating murine collagen‐induced arthritis

Depletion of B cells with the anti‐CD20 antibody rituximab is an established therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. However, rituximab has only moderate efficacy, most likely due to insufficient depletion of B cells in lymphoid organs and expansion of pathogenic B cells. We found that an antibody against mouse CD79b profoundly blocks B‐cell proliferation induced via the B‐cell receptor, CD40, CD180, and chondroitin sulfate, but not via TLR4 or TLR9. Treatment with anti‐CD79b also induces death in resting and activated B cells. B‐cell inhibition is mediated by cross‐linkage of CD79b, but independent of Fc‐receptor engagement. In the model of collagen‐induced arthritis, an antibody against mouse CD20 depletes B cells very efficiently but fails to suppress the humoral immune response against collagen and the development of arthritis. In contrast, the antibody against CD79b, and a deglycosylated variant of this antibody, almost completely inhibits the increase in anti‐collagen antibodies and the development of arthritis. In mice with established arthritis only the fully glycosylated antibody against CD79b is effective. Our data show that targeting B cells via CD79b is much more effective than B‐cell depletion with anti‐CD20 antibodies for therapy of arthritis. These findings may have important implications for treatment of B‐cell–mediated autoimmune diseases.     

Galanin in the hippocampal formation of female rats--effects of 17beta-estradiol

17Beta-estradiol induced an increase in tissue concentrations of galanin in the hippocampal formation of ovariectomized rats. This increase was dose- and time dependent, and occurred already 60 min after steroid administration and was not blocked by Tamoxifen). There was also an increase in galanin in the pro-estrous phase in regularly cycling rats. The estrogen-induced rapid increase may at least in part be due to decreased release of galanin as demonstrated by in vivo microdialysis studies. Thus, sex steroid hormones may influence signalling molecules in brain areas of importance for cognitive functions.     

Estrogen induces a rapid increase in galanin levels in female rat hippocampal formation--possibly a nongenomic/indirect effect

Administration of 17beta-estradiol to ovariectomized rats increased the concentrations of galanin-like immunoreactivity (LI) in the hippocampal formation by 215% (P < 0.001) within 1 h. An increase of 125% (P < 0.05) was observed in the same brain region in the proestrous phase of a normal estrous cycle. Tamoxifen did not block the 17beta-estradiol-induced increase in the concentration of galanin-LI but resulted in a 62% decrease in the hypothalamus within 1 h. In vivo microdialysis in the dorsal hippocampal formation showed a decrease of extracellular galanin-LI (P < 0.001) 1-2 h after treatment with 17beta-estradiol, indicating a decreased release of galanin. For comparison, we studied the concentrations of neuropeptide Y, which were not influenced significantly in any of the regions studied. Taken together our results suggest that 17beta-estradiol inhibits galanin release, presumably from noradrenergic nerve terminals, and primarily via a nongenomic/indirect action, not necessarily involving the classical nuclear receptors ER-alpha or ER-beta. These rapid estrogen-induced changes in galanin release could influence transmitter signalling and plasticity in the hippocampal formation.