Parvalbumin (PV) is a calcium binding protein expressed by inhibitory fast-spiking interneurons in the cerebral cortex. By generating a fast stream of action potentials, PV+ interneurons provide a ...quick and stable inhibitory input to pyramidal neurons and contribute to the generation of gamma oscillations in the cortex. Their fast-firing rates, while advantageous for regulating cortical signaling, also leave them vulnerable to metabolic stress. Chandelier (Ch) cells are a type of PV+ interneuron that modulate the output of pyramidal neurons and synchronize spikes within neuron populations by directly innervating the pyramidal axon initial segment. Changes in the morphology and/or function of PV+ interneurons, mostly of Ch cells, are linked to neurological disorders. In ASD, the number of PV+ Ch cells is decreased across several cortical areas. Changes in the morphology and/or function of PV+ interneurons have also been linked to schizophrenia, epilepsy, and bipolar disorder. Herein, we review the role of PV and PV+ Ch cell alterations in ASD and other psychiatric disorders.
This paper addresses the impact that changes in natural ecosystems can have on health and wellbeing focusing on the potential co-benefits that green spaces could provide when introduced as climate ...change adaptation measures. Ignoring such benefits could lead to sub-optimal planning and decision-making. A conceptual framework, building on the ecosystem-enriched Driver, Pressure, State, Exposure, Effect, Action model (eDPSEEA), is presented to aid in clarifying the relational structure between green spaces and human health, taking climate change as the key driver. The study has the double intention of (i) summarising the literature with a special emphasis on the ecosystem and health perspectives, as well as the main theories behind these impacts, and (ii) modelling these findings into a framework that allows for multidisciplinary approaches to the underlying relations between human health and green spaces. The paper shows that while the literature based on the ecosystem perspective presents a well-documented association between climate, health and green spaces, the literature using a health-based perspective presents mixed evidence in some cases. The role of contextual factors and the exposure mechanism are rarely addressed.
The proposed framework could serve as a multidisciplinary knowledge platform for multi-perspecitve analysis and discussion among experts and stakeholders, as well as to support the operationalization of quantitative assessment and modelling exercises.
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•The model synthesises main links among climate, ecosystems and human health.•Adaptation to climate change must consider health's relation to the environment.•Adaptation actions could either increase or reduce existing pressure on ecosystems.•Contextual factors and behavioural change affect this relationship through exposure.•Multidisciplinary approaches are required when assessing ecosystem's health impacts.
The production of jet-fuel precursors from the aldol-dimerization of levulinic acid (LA) over acid zeolites is presented. Under solventless conditions, high LA conversion with selectivities to LA ...dimers > 90% are achieved. Chemisorption and spectroscopic analyses of the materials have revealed a cooperative effect between strong Brønsted (BS) and strong Lewis (LS) acid sites, which favors the selective formation of dimers. BEA structure is the most efficient owing to shape selectivity effect. H-Beta 19, having an optimum Brønsted to Lewis acid sites ratio and the adequate balance of BS/LS acid sites, displayed the best catalytic performance in terms of activity and selectivity to LA dimers. Under optimized reaction conditions H-Beta 19 achieved 79% LA conversion and > 98% selectivity. An analysis on the stability showed good reusability in consecutive reaction cycles. The small loss of activity, ascribed to the formation of organic deposits, can be reverted by calcination in air.
Efficient production of jet-fuel precursors from LA via self-condensation over beta acid zeolite, intimately related to catalyst acid properties. Display omitted
•Jet-fuel precursors from levulinic acid over commercial acid zeolites.•Cooperative effect between strong Brønsted and strong Lewis acid sites.•BEA zeolitic structure is the most efficient catalyst owing to the shape selectivity effect.•H-Beta 19 zeolite achieved 79% LA conversion and > 98% selectivity.
Immunostaining is an antibody-based tool used to visualize proteins in tissue. Enzymes or fluorochromes conjugated to antibodies are used to detect proteins of interests. Fluorescent immunostaining ...can be used in human tissue, however due to the high autofluorescence of non-perfused human tissue, enzymatic immunostaining is better suited. Enzymes produce a colored product that is detectable by light microscopes. Here we describe a successful triple immunochemistry protocol to enzymatically label three distinct populations of interneurons (Parvalbumin+, Calbindin+, and Calretinin + interneurons) in non-perfused formalin fixed human brain cerebral cortex. Signal was achieved using a combination of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and Alkaline Phosphatase (AP) enzymes and color was generated using the insoluble chromogens: 3,3′- Diaminobenzidine (DAB, Brown), Vector Blue (Blue), and Vector VIP (Pink). There were no noticeable background and minimal signal overlap between the different colors. We were able to successfully stain human cortical tissue and distinguish morphological properties of the three interneuron (IN) populations.
Lactic acid and ester derivatives, which are important precursors of a wide variety of products, can be prepared
via
retro-aldol sugar condensation in the presence of Sn-containing zeolites. However, ...the preparation of these materials is often complex and requires zeolitic structures that are difficult to obtain on a commercial scale, hindering the access to this technology at the industrial level. In the present study, a comparative investigation was conducted on the preparation of a faujasite zeolite functionalized with Sn and Al species from a commercial USY material using simple post-synthetic methods. The Sn-Al-USY zeolite displayed poor selectivity towards methyl lactate when the methanolic solutions of glucose were treated with it; however, alkaline ion-exchange switched the catalytic activity of this zeolite, enhancing its performance in retro-aldol condensation and inhibiting the dehydration pathway towards methyl levulinate. The catalytic activities of these materials have been correlated to their acid-base properties and the interaction of the supported tin species with alkali metals. Na and K-exchanged Sn-Al-USY demonstrated high catalytic activity in the transformation of glucose into methyl lactate, providing yields above 40% from glucose as well as good stability and reusability.
The catalytic activity of Sn-Al-USY zeolites is switched from hydrolytic to retro-aldol condensation for the transformation of glucose to methyl lactate.
Latency‐based functional analysis (FA) may be a viable alternative to the standard, rate‐based, FA when frequently evoking problem behavior is not advisable. We conducted 18 latency‐based FAs of the ...problem behavior of children diagnosed with autism in inpatient hospital settings and identified functional relations during 44.4% (8 of 18) of latency‐based FAs. Implications for conducting FAs of severe problem behavior are discussed.
The need for analysis and action across the interrelated domains of human behaviors and lifestyles, environmental sustainability, health and inequality is increasingly apparent. Currently, these ...areas are often not considered in conjunction when developing policies or interventions, introducing the potential for suboptimal or conflicting outcomes. The INHERIT model has been developed within the EU-funded project INHERIT as a tool to guide thinking and intersectoral action towards changing the behaviors and lifestyles that play such an important role in today's multidisciplinary challenges. The model integrates ecological public health and behavioral change models, emphasizing inequalities and those parts of the causal process that are influenced by human behaviors and lifestyles. The model was developed through web-based and live discussions with experts and policy stakeholders. To test the model's usability, the model was applied to aspects of food consumption. This paper shows that the INHERIT model can serve as a tool to identify opportunities for change in important −food-related behaviors and lifestyles and to examine how they impact on health, health inequalities, and the environment in Europe and beyond. The INHERIT model helps clarify these interrelated domains, creating new opportunities to improve environmental health and health inequality, while taking our planetary boundaries into consideration.
Interest continues to be high in technology-based interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Understanding the preferences and challenges of technology use among individuals ...with ASD can inform the design of such interventions. Through 18 interviews with parents, we used an iterative inductive-deductive approach to qualitative analysis and explored uses of technology for social skills development among adolescents with ASD. Our findings include parents’ observations about their adolescent’s preferences in types of technology devices and digital content, as well as both positive and negative effects of technology use on mood and behavior. Parents highlighted several avenues of technological preferences and risks that may inform intervention design, enhance user engagement, and capitalize on users’ strengths while buttressing areas for growth.
Improving educational outcomes for students with autism and intellectual disability requires delivering services and supports marked by evidence-based practices. We surveyed 535 special educators of ...students with autism and/or intellectual disability about (a) their implementation of 26 instructional practices, (b) their recent access to training and resources on those practices, (c) the factors they consider when deciding which practices to use, (d) the importance they place on various instructional areas (e.g., social skills, reading), and (e) their preparedness to provide that instruction. Although teachers reported implementing a wide range of evidence-based instructional practices, their recent access to training and resources was fairly limited. Special educators identified a constellation of factors informing their instructional decision making, placing emphasis on student needs and professional judgment. When considering instructional areas, a gap was evident between ratings of importance and preparedness. We address implications for strengthening professional development pathways and offer recommendations for future research.
This case documents the co-occurrence of the fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) and Alzheimer-type neuropathology in a 71-year-old premutation carrier with 85 CGG repeats in the ...fragile X mental retardation 1 (
gene, in addition to an apolipoprotein E (
ε4 allele. FXTAS and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) are late-onset neurodegenerative diseases that share overlapping cognitive deficits including processing speed, working memory and executive function. The prevalence of coexistent FXTAS-AD pathology remains unknown. The clinical picture in this case was marked with rapid cognitive decline between age 67 and 71 years in addition to remarkable MRI changes. Over the 16 months between the two clinical evaluations, the brain atrophied 4.12% while the lateral ventricles increased 26.4% and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) volume increased 15.6%. Other regions atrophied substantially faster than the whole brain included the thalamus (-6.28%), globus pallidus (-10.95%), hippocampus (-6.95%), and amygdala (-7.58%). A detailed postmortem assessment included an MRI with confluent WMH and evidence of cerebral microbleeds (CMB). The histopathological study demonstrated FXTAS inclusions in neurons and astrocytes, a widespread presence of phosphorylated tau protein and, amyloid β plaques in cortical areas and the hippocampus. CMBs were noticed in the precentral gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, visual cortex, and brainstem. There were high amounts of iron deposits in the globus pallidus and the putamen consistent with MRI findings. We hypothesize that coexistent FXTAS-AD neuropathology contributed to the steep decline in cognitive abilities.
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