We often offload memory demands onto external artefacts (e.g., smartphones). While this practice allows us to subvert the limitations of our biological memory, storing memories externally exposes ...them to manipulation. To examine the impact of such manipulation, we report three experiments, two of which were pre-registered. Individuals performed a memory task where they could offload to-be-recalled information to an external store and on a critical trial, we surreptitiously manipulated the information in that store. Results demonstrated that individuals rarely noticed this manipulation. In addition, when individuals had information inserted into their external memory stores, they often encoded it into their biological memory, thereby leading to the creation of a false memory. The reported results highlight one of the cognitive consequences of offloading our memory to external artefacts.
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear receptors with three isoforms (PPARα, PPARβ/δ, PPARγ) and can regulate pain, anxiety, and cognition. However, their role in conditioned ...fear and pain-fear interactions has not yet been investigated. Here, we investigated the effects of systemically administered PPAR antagonists on formalin-evoked nociceptive behaviour, fear-conditioned analgesia (FCA), and conditioned fear in the presence of nociceptive tone in rats. Twenty-three and a half hours following fear conditioning to context, male Sprague-Dawley rats received an intraplantar injection of formalin and intraperitoneal administration of vehicle, PPARα (GW6471), PPARβ/δ (GSK0660) or PPARγ (GW9662) antagonists, and 30 min later were re-exposed to the conditioning arena for 15 min. The PPAR antagonists did not alter nociceptive behaviour or fear-conditioned analgesia. The PPARα and PPARβ/δ antagonists prolonged context-induced freezing in the presence of nociceptive tone without affecting its initial expression. The PPARγ antagonist potentiated freezing over the entire trial. In conclusion, pharmacological blockade of PPARα and PPARβ/δ in the presence of formalin-evoked nociceptive tone, impaired short-term, within-trial fear-extinction in rats without affecting pain response, while blockade of PPARγ potentiated conditioned fear responding. These results suggest that endogenous signalling through these three PPAR isoforms may reduce the expression of conditioned fear in the presence of nociceptive tone.
The scarce availability of efficient and eco-friendly nematicides to control root-knot nematodes (RKN),
spp., has encouraged research toward the development of bionematicides. Naphthoquinones, ...juglone (JUG) and 1,4-naphthoquinone (1,4-NTQ), are being explored as alternatives to synthetic nematicides to control RKN. This study expands the knowledge on the effects of these natural compounds toward
life cycle (mortality, hatching, penetration, reproduction).
second-stage juveniles (J2)/eggs were exposed to each compound (250, 150, 100, 50, and 20 ppm) to monitor nematode mortality and hatching during 72 h and 15 days, respectively. Tomato seedlings were then inoculated with 200 J2, which had been exposed to JUG/1,4-NTQ for 3 days. The number of nematodes inside the roots was determined at 3 days after inoculation, and the final population density was assessed at 45 days after inoculation. Moreover, the potential mode of action of JUG/1,4-NTQ was investigated for the first time on RKN, through the assessment of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, acetylcholinesterase (AChE)
inhibitory activity and expression analysis of
and glutathione-S-transferase (
) genes. 1,4-NTQ was the most active compound, causing ≥50% J2 mortality at 250 ppm, within 24 h. At 20 and 50 ppm, hatching was reduced by ≈50% for both compounds. JUG showed a greater effect on
penetration and reproduction, decreasing infection by ≈80% (50 ppm) on tomato plants. However, 1,4-NTQ-induced generation of ROS and nematode vacuolization was observed. Our study confirms that JUG/1,4-NTQ are promising nematicidal compounds, and new knowledge on their physiological impacts on
was provided to open new avenues for the development of innovative sustainable nematicides.
Hospital wastewater has been described as an important source of spreading pathogenic microorganisms in the environment. However, there are few studies reporting the presence and concentrations of ...gastroenteric viruses and hepatitis A viruses in these environmental matrices. The aim of this study was to assess the contamination by viruses responsible for acute gastroenteritis and hepatitis derived from hospital wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Rotavirus A (RV-A), human adenoviruses (HAdV), norovirus genogroup I and II (NoV GI/GII) and hepatitis A viruses (HAV) were detected and quantified in sewage samples from two WWTPs located in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) that operates different sewage treatments. WWTP-1 uses an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB reactor) and three serial anaerobic filters while WWTP-2 uses aerobic processes, activated sludge with extended aeration and final chlorination of the effluents. Viruses’ detection was investigated by using conventional PCR/RT-PCR, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and partial sequencing of the genome of the viruses detected. Rate of viruses detection ranged from 7% (NoV GI in WWTP-1) to 95% (RV-A in WWTP-2) and genome from all viruses were detected. The most prevalent genotypes were RV-A SG I, HAdV species D and F, NoV GII/4 and HAV subgenotype IA. Mean values of viral loads (genome copies (GC)/ml) obtained in filtered effluents from anaerobic process was 1.9 × 103 (RV-A), 2.8 × 103 (HAdV) and 2.4 × 103 (NoV GII). For chlorinated effluents from activated sludge process, the mean values of viral loads (GC/ml) was 1.2 × 105 (RV-A), 1.4 × 103 (HAdV), 8.1 × 102 (NoV GII) and 2.8 × 104 (HAV). Data on viral detection in treated effluents of hospital WWTPs confirmed the potential for environmental contamination by viruses and could be useful to establish standards for policies on wastewater management.
This article presents a complex case of total pharyngoesophageal defect reconstruction in a patient with recurrent supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma.
After failed attempts with free microsurgical ...techniques due to complications, a tubed myocutaneous pectoralis major flap was successfully employed. The procedure aimed to achieve alimentary continuity, speech, and swallowing functionality. Despite initial challenges and concerns about stenosis, the reconstruction of a total pharyngolarygectomy defect resulted in a good functional outcome, although minor deficits in neck mobility and aesthetic donor zone deformities were noted.
The case highlights the broad armamentarium of reconstruction techniques that plastic and aesthetic surgery teams must be trained, namely the myocutaneous pectoralis major flap which in selected cases can be the end solution.
•The modelling of the dynamic behaviour of composite floors was investigated.•The rhythmic crowd loading models were developed based on experimental tests.•The random nature of the human rhythmic ...activities was investigated.•Human rhythmic activities could induce disturbing vibrations in composite floors.•Use of multiple tuned mass dampers (MTMDs) on a real building composite floor.
The main objective of this paper is to investigate the dynamic behaviour of building steel–concrete composite floors when submitted to human rhythmic activities. The investigated structural model was based on a real building steel–concrete composite floor spanning 40m by 40m with a total area of 1600m2. The structural system represents a typical interior floor of a commercial building for gym purposes, and designed according to the usual ULS and SLS Eurocode provisions. The human comfort evaluation methods used in the analysis indicated that the composite floor presented excessive vibrations. Hence, it was detected that this type of structure can reach high vibration levels that can compromise the user’s comfort. In addition, the use of multiple tuned mass damper systems (TMDs) was simulated to provide a multimode vibration control aiming to improve the human comfort.
Toll-like receptor 4 (Tlr4) is recognized due to its role in the immune response. Also, this protein can participate in the signaling pathway of events triggered by physical exercise such as ...apoptosis, inflammation, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the role of Tlr4 in the markers of these events in the myocardium of mice submitted to acute physical exercise (APE) protocols at different intensities.
Echocardiogram, RT-qPCR, and immunoblotting technique were used to evaluate the left ventricle of wild-type (WT) and Tlr4 knockout (Tlr4 KO) submitted to APE protocols at 45, 60, and 75% of their maximal velocity. Also, we performed the bioinformatics analysis to establish the connection of heart mRNA levels of Tlr4 with heart genes of inflammation and ER stress of several isogenic strains of BXD mice.
Under basal conditions, the Tlr4 deletion diminished the performance, and expression of inflammation and ER stress genes in the left ventricle, but increased the serum levels of CK, Il-17, and Tnf-alpha. Under the same exercise conditions, the Tlr4 deletion reduced the glycemia, serum levels of CK, Il-17, and Tnf-alpha, as well as genes and/or proteins related to apoptosis, inflammation and ER stress in the left ventricle, but increased the levels of CK-mb and LDH, as well as other genes related to apoptosis, inflammation, and ER stress in the left ventricle.
Altogether, the current findings highlighted the effects of different acute exercise intensities were attenuated in the heart of Tlr4 KO mice.
Physical exercise is considered a fundamental strategy in improving insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this regulation, primarily ...on skeletal muscle glucose uptake, are not fully understood. Recent evidence has shown that Rho-kinase (ROCK) isoforms play a pivotal role in regulating skeletal muscle glucose uptake and systemic glucose homeostasis. The current study evaluated the effect of physical exercise on ROCK2 signaling in skeletal muscle of insulin-resistant obese animals. Physiological (ITT) and molecular analysis (immunoblotting, and RT-qPCR) were performed. The contents of RhoA and ROCK2 protein were decreased in skeletal muscle of obese mice compared to control mice but were restored to normal levels in response to physical exercise. The exercised animals also showed higher phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1 Serine 632/635) and protein kinase B (Akt) in the skeletal muscle. However, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and protein-tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP-1B), both inhibitory regulators for insulin action, were increased in obesity but decreased after exercise. The impact of ROCK2 action on muscle insulin signaling is further underscored by the fact that impaired IRS1 and Akt phosphorylation caused by palmitate in C2C12 myotubes was entirely restored by ROCK2 overexpression. These results suggest that the exercise-induced upregulation of RhoA-ROCK2 signaling in skeletal muscle is associated with increased systemic insulin sensitivity in obese mice and further implicate that muscle ROCK2 could be a potential target for treating obesity-linked metabolic disorders.
The accumulation of fatty acids in the liver associated with obesity condition is also known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The impaired fat oxidation in obesity condition leads to ...increased hepatic fat accumulation and increased metabolic syndrome risk. On the other hand, physical exercise has been demonstrated as a potent strategy in the prevention of NAFLD. Also, these beneficial effects of exercise occur through different mechanisms. Recently, the Cdc2‐like kinase (CLK2) protein was associated with the suppression of fatty acid oxidation and hepatic ketogenesis. Thus, obese animals demonstrated elevated levels of hepatic CLK2 and decreased fat acid oxidation. Here, we explored the effects of chronic physical exercise in the hepatic metabolism of obese mice. Swiss mice were distributed in Lean, Obese (fed with high‐fat diet during 16 weeks) and Trained Obese group (fed with high‐fat diet during 16 weeks and exercised (at 60% exhaustion velocity during 1 h/5 days/week) during 8 weeks. In our results, the obese animals showed insulin resistance, increased hepatic CLK2 content and increased hepatic fat accumulation compared to the Lean group. Otherwise, the chronic physical exercise improved insulin resistance state, prevented the increased CLK2 in the liver and attenuated hepatic fat accumulation. In summary, these data reveal a new protein involved in the prevention of hepatic fat accumulation after chronic physical exercise. More studies can evidence the negative role of CLK2 in the control of liver metabolism, contributing to the improvement of insulin resistance, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
This study showed a strong correlation between high‐fat diet consumption and hepatic fat accumulation. The physical exercise has a relevant participation in hepatic metabolism, especially in fat oxidation in this tissue that occurred, at least in part, through of CLK2 protein regulation. Our study are in accordance with recent studies involving CLK2 in liver metabolism, suggesting its modulation as an interesting strategy in the prevention of NAFLD.
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